Franklin County, News, Russellville, Z - News Main
 By  Alison James Published 
10:00 am Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Lights, bows show police support

Mayor David Grissom, RPD Capt. Mike Prince, Emily Evans and RPD Chief Chris Hargett are at the center of efforts to show appreciation and support for local police officers. They are encouraging Russellville residents to put blue ribbons on their mailboxes, front doors or porches and install blue lightbulbs in their outdoor light fixtures.

Mayor David Grissom, RPD Capt. Mike Prince, Emily Evans and RPD Chief Chris Hargett are at the center of efforts to show appreciation and support for local police officers. They are encouraging Russellville residents to put blue ribbons on their mailboxes, front doors or porches and install blue lightbulbs in their outdoor light fixtures.

It’s no secret that tension between police officers and the public has been at an all-time high in recent months. Initiatives are now being launched in Russellville to encourage citizens to show their support for the local “boys in blue.”

Emily Evans is the mother of a Russellville Police Department officer, and she said although she has always been supportive of law enforcement, that took on a new meaning when her son joined the force.

“Until I became the mom of an officer, I never realized – it’s not a job. It’s a calling,” Evans said. “You have to have a heart for this … I have a new appreciation for it.”

Evans wanted to do something to show her support for the RPD. Inspired by the yellow ribbons for troops and the pink ribbons for breast cancer – and ribbons in nearly every shade of the color wheel for every cause imaginable – she ordered a blue ribbon made up at Russellville Florist. She displays it on her mailbox and hopes it will catch on as a trend.

Evans also reached out to Russellville Mayor David Grissom to express her desire to show support for the RPD. Relatedly, Councilman Gary Cummings began giving out blue lightbulbs throughout his district, to be installed in outdoor light fixtures, so police officers can see blue lights throughout the community as they protect the streets at night.

“As I’ve gone around campaigning, I’ve left everybody a blue light,” Cummings said. The gift has been well-received – Cummings said even a candidate he’s running against accepted the blue bulb, and some constituents have called to request lightbulbs before he made it as far as their houses.

“We just thought it would be nice to do something … This seems like a really neat idea,” Grissom said. “This is a symbol.”

Evans she hopes these small symbols show that “during this time of anti-police, our community and our town supports our officers.”

Cummings pointed out that the bulbs are not expensive and draw very little power, making this an affordable gesture for anyone. “But the meaning of it is huge,” he said. “Police officers – they are under attack. This lets people know, ‘I’m supporting my police officers.’”

RPD Capt. Mike Prince and Chief Chris Hargett agreed the act will mean a lot to their officers.

“The perception is that everybody is against us, but I know the majority is for us,” Hargett said. “But when you hear negative, negative, negative and you never see any positive, you kind of start believing it.”

Prince said there have been groups showing support for RPD officers – whether it’s a church ministry sending cards or a civic group or private citizen buying them a meal – but this is just one more way to send a message of care and gratitude to local police.

Cummings and Grissom have personally purchased 500 blue light bulbs that will be available at city hall for anyone who would like one. Visit city hall at 304 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville, to pick up a blub.

“We just appreciate the job our police officers do each and every day,” Grissom said.
“All the officers really appreciate the showing of support,” Hargett added.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025