By Graham Sweeney
The Collierville Citizen Police Association hosted the town’s inaugural Back the Blue event on Nov. 15 and the results were exceptional.
The CCPA, which was established 20 years ago by members of the Citizens Police Academy as 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit association, was able to raise nearly $50,000 at the event.
Around 150 guests enjoyed the evening at the Ridgeway Country Club.
“The evening was a huge success,” said Sherrie Rinehart, who helped promote the event. “We anticipate having another event next year in the same time frame.”
Early in 2022, a member of the CCPA founding committee shared an idea of hosting an appreciation and fundraising event for the Collierville Police Department. Several other citizens, along with the Collierville Chamber of Commerce, joined in the effort and Back the Blue was established.
The main goal of the event is “to provide the entire Collierville community the opportunity to show their support to the men and women of the Collierville Police Department.”
In addition, any funds raised will go toward the mission of the CCPA.
CCPA has gathered donations to purchase nonlethal training weapons to help reduce ammunition expense while maintaining realism in training scenarios.
Local community grants have helped fund compact medical/tourniquet kits for the duty belts of every officer, which have been used in the injuries of citizens as well as officers.
Grants obtained have provided automated license plate readers that allow law enforcement to identify plates of vehicle to help in the solving of illegal activities and in the search for missing and endangered people.
In 2021, an Injured Officer Fund was established to pay for expenses be-yond medical expenses provided already covered and support family members of injured officers as needed.
Collierville lost Officer Edgar Morris in a line of duty death in 2021. He received national recognition and his name was added to the National Memorial in Washington D.C.
Back the Blue is a nonprofit organization that “focuses on obtaining advanced training and equipment for law enforcement agencies in Tennessee. Historically in the law enforcement world, the threats to society and law enforcement officers have always outpaced the training and equipment that is provided to our respective agencies. Back the BLUE TN seeks to close this gap and further empower our officers to provide safety and emergency services in our dangerously developing world.”
• The Founding Committee Members for Back the Blue are:
David Halle
Mark Heuberger, President, CEO Collierville Chamber of Commerce
Missy Marshall, Alderwoman, Town of Collierville
Lee Race, President, Collierville Citizens Police Association
Sherrie Rinehart
David Wilder
