Hey, Water Tower. Why so blue?

As a means to commemorate law enforcement officers who've given their lives in the line of duty, Project Blue Light began 1988 in Philadelphia and quickly spread across the United States and into Canada.

Last evening, representatives from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service were on Great Northern Road to light the City's water tower blue in recognition of the project.

"[The water tower] is a significant focal point here in Sault Ste. Marie, whether you're a citizen seeing this over the Christmas holidays, or traveling along the Trans Canada Highway, this will be seen," Police Chief Bob Davies said during his address.

In May 2006, Constable Donald Doucet tragically became the first officer in Sault Police Service history to fall in the line of duty when his police cruiser was struck by a drunk driver.

"We cannot forget the significance of Project Blue Light," Davies explained. "This is the holiday time, and it's supposed to be a time of happiness, and time we spend with our families. This certainly signifies and acknowledges emergency workers and police officers that are working throughout the holiday season - not with their families - and more importantly, those officers that have given their lives in the line of duty protecting our citizens."

This is the second year the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has taken part in Project Blue Light, and Chief Davies acknowledged the efforts of Constable Fred Brown who was instrumental in bringing the idea to Sault Ste. Marie.

Citizens are encouraged to display a blue light in their windows through the month of December to show support for our emergency workers and law enforcement officers.