CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Close to 50 people came together Saturday, Aug. 22, to show their support for local law enforcement in downtown Clarksville.
As part of the Back the Blue event, the group marched from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, down Commerce Street, past the Clarksville Police Department, to Riverside Drive. The group, many retired officers and family or friends of officers, stood with their signs and waving their flags of support.
The event was organized by Barbie Hemmingsen, whose husband is a retired Clarksville Police officer.
“Law enforcement needs to know the community supports them and needs them, and not just for things that are going on right now, but every day. We support them serving our community, protecting us, working long hours away from their family. They just need to know the community appreciates everything they are doing,” said Hemmingsen.
Retired Deputy Police Chief Larry Vaden shared his feelings about the show of support.
“I was in law enforcement for 31 years, my father was a police officer, my brother was a police officer. I know there’s things that police do that aren’t always right, but 99 percent of the incidents they deal with in the general public turns out to be just fine, and I just support the police,” Vaden said.