Lights honor police, firefighters who made ultimate sacrifice

HAZEL PARK — Police and firefighters face many perils, and there is no guarantee they will return home at the end of the shift. That’s why, amid the cold darkness of winter nights, residents are asked to place a blue or red light in their window as a show of support.

The initiative has come to be known as Project Blue Light. Each December, it starts with a solemn ceremony at St. Justin’s Church in Hazel Park, where current and retired first responders gather with family and friends to pay respects to those who fell in the line of duty.

This year’s event was Dec. 5, the 20th commemoration to date. Among those named in the 2023 “Roll Call of Heroes,” which dates back to the summer of 2022, were the following:

• Sgt. Daniel A. Kammerzell, Shelby Township Police Department, died Nov. 5, 2022.

• Lt. Ethan M. Quillen, Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department, died Feb. 22, 2023.

• Apparatus Operator Ricky A. Hill, Jr., Flint Fire Department, died Feb. 25, 2023.

• Lt. Frederick C. Bowens, Jr., Detroit Police Department, died March 13, 2023.

• Retired Battalion Chief and Active Firefighter/Paramedic Shawn C. Goldie, St. Clair Shores and Oxford fire departments, died April 28, 2023.

Debbie Swofford, the event organizer, noted the fallen range in age from 28 to 62 years old, each with years of service from three years to 36 years. Causes of death ranged from job-related illnesses and disease to on-scene structure collapse and electrocution.

“There is nothing that can prepare a department to lose a colleague, nothing that can prepare a family to get the news that their loved one has given their life,” Swofford said in email. “Spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents — all now face an uncertain future as they try to find some little bit of peace in their ‘new normal.’ Our job, as supporters of these men and women, is to do our best to help them as they travel the road ahead.”

Hazel Park Police Chief Brian Buchholz said the support is appreciated.

“We do this job, day in and day out. We never know what we will deal with. Oftentimes, we’re putting our lives on the line for people we don’t even know. It’s unfortunate. I wish we could go an entire year without adding any new people to that list of fallen officers. But it still happens,” Buchholz said.

“It’s a tough time for police,” he added. “We can go from one moment helping to save the life of a child, and then the very next call, we’re dealing with people who automatically feel anger and hatred for us, just because of the uniform we’re wearing or the job we’re doing. Our officers have to keep in mind that it’s not a personal issue against them as a person. We must be professional and respectful at all times, but we also have to be reactive to the situation we’re given.”

He acknowledged that tensions are heightened by the widespread presence of guns in society. An officer never knows if the car full of strangers they’re approaching is armed and hostile.

“But we know the people who attend (Project Blue Light) are supporters of us, and we really do appreciate it,” he said. “We appreciate the people who shine a blue light on their porches for us.”

Lt. Alex Holish of the Eastpointe Police Department said that police are under extraordinary pressure. He said that in addition to dealing with violent suspects and the risk of prosecution for on-duty action, police face internal stresses such as a dwindling workforce, which has led to long overtime hours, fatigue and low morale.

“Obviously, police officers should not get away with negligence and misconduct. However, they should still be afforded a due process, just like everyone else,” Holish said via email. “In recent years, many police officers have been tried by a public opinion and are condemned before all the investigation into their actions is completed.”

He said he’s thankful that the residents of Eastpointe support their police.

“A simple ‘thank you’ means a lot. We get it often,” Holish said. “I know it warms our hearts when we get mail from local students that contain self-made cards of appreciation. These are always posted on our department walls, and every officer takes time during the shift to read them. We also appreciate the tremendous assistance that the citizens of our community provide us when we’re investigating crimes, like when they come forward with information or provide security camera videos to us, even when they’re not a victim of a crime.”

David Soltis is a former first responder who now serves on the Madison Heights City Council. He used to work the night shift as an EMT driving an ambulance.

“It’s a strain, for sure, but you need people in those positions 24/7, because things can happen at any time,” Soltis said. “I felt humbled by the opportunity to help those in need, because it’s 100% out in the neighborhood. And now my oldest son is returning to work as a paramedic. We also went to the Project Blue Light service a few years ago, before COVID, and it was just incredible seeing all of the love and support in that room. It made an influence with my two sons, I’m sure. And there was a lot of mourning. It really humbles you, seeing the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”