In recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, the George Washington Masonic Memorial was illuminated in blue throughout the evening of Friday, Jan. 9 to show support for Alexandria's law enforcement officers and Project Blue Light. Members of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office and Alexandria Police Department met outside the Masonic Memorial and activated their cruisers' emergency lights when the memorial went blue at 5:30 p.m.
Supporting this effort were the Alexandria Committee of Police Local 5, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, the Alexandria Police Association and the Alexandria Sheriff's Association. Concerns of Police Survivors and the National Fraternal Order of Police designated Jan. 9, 2015 as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to remind the public of the efforts law enforcement officers take to keep communities safe. The National Fraternal Order of Police notes that on average between 105 and 203 officers die in the line of duty each year and that 50,000 officers are assaulted and 14,000 officers are injured annually in performance of their duties.