ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
When Ashley Griffith read about "Project Blue Light" in a newsletter for survivors of slain police officers, she wanted to bring the holiday remembrance to Christiansburg in honor of her father, Officer Terry Griffith.
"Just to remember him," Ashley, a sixth-grader at Christiansburg Middle School, said through tears.
Griffith was killed while trying to arrest a shoplifter on Sept. 18, 1994. He was shot with his own service revolver as he struggled with the suspect.
Ashley Griffith and her mother, Wanda Sowers, read about "Project Blue Light" in the fall newsletter from the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) organization.
The goal is to get people to use blue lights, the color commonly associated with police, on holiday decorations such as Christmas trees and window candles.
"She thought this would be another way the community could remember Terry's life and work as a police officer and also show support to the men and women who continue to serve and protect every day," Christiansburg Police Chief Ron Lemons said in a news release.
On Ashley's behalf, Terry Griffith's widow, Diane Griffith, approached Town Manager John Lemley about getting Christiansburg involved. Lemley assigned Lemons and town employee Barry Helms to determine the appropriate way for the town to participate.
Employees at the town shop constructed a string tree, which has been placed on the roof of the town's Police Department.
Ashley, Terry Griffith's firstborn, was with her siblings and Diane Griffith Tuesday evening for a short ceremony to unveil the tree.
"We examined several areas. ... We had a little difficulty finding the right spot and finally someone suggested 'why don't we put a tree on the roof of the Police Department,'" Lemons said as several police officers, the Griffith family and members of the department's Citizen Police Academy gathered in the department parking lot.
"Ashley, I hope this is OK," the chief said after explaining how employees worked to design the tree.
She nodded her approval.
After the ceremony, Ashley talked more about her reasons for suggesting the town participate in Project Blue Light.
"Just to remember Daddy and all the police officers" who daily risk their lives, she explained. "It is very special and I hope that they keep doing this."
Lemons said the tree will be used year after year.
"This tree will always be a reminder ... to remember all police officers everywhere, past, present and future," he said.
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