PUBLIC BRAVES COLD TO HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AT BLUE LIGHTS CEREMONY

Published on January 10, 2025

Members of the public braved a cold and windy evening to attend the annual Blue Lights ceremony on the Prescott Courthouse Plaza, honoring men and women in law enforcement. Several law enforcement officials in Yavapai county told the gathering that great widespread support from local citizens all over the county is greatly appreciated and makes the job even more rewarding. 

January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and each year on that evening the lights on dozens of trees on the Courthouse Plaza are turned blue to honor law enforcement personnel. In a public ceremony prior to the lighting, YCSO Chief Deputy Jeff Newnum said county residents "enjoy an excellent quality of life because of the men and women who protect us every day." 

Prescott Valley Police Chief Bob Ticer told the gathering that local residents make the job of a law enforcement officer a lot easier with their consistent support of the men and women in blue. Chief Ticer, who grew up in Prescott and started his career with Prescott PD 35 years ago, said "It's really us appreciating you today." He also pointed to how important it is to have quality law enforcement manning the "line between good and evil."

Yavapai-Prescott Tribal Police Chief Scott Desjadon told the ceremony that he started his career over 40 years ago in Prescott, then transferred out of Yavapai county to another agency, but returned 18 years ago "because of the love and respect people here show for law enforcement. We are human and I want you to know that we feel that support." 

Cottonwood Police Chief Brian Freudenthal, a 29-year veteran who arrived in the county a couple of months ago after serving in Phoenix law enforcement, spoke about the pendulum of public perception. He said in 2020 in Phoenix, there were 180 days in a row of strong public protests against law enforcement. As he put it, "They were in our face yelling all kinds of comments every day. What kept us going was our commitment to stop evil, and also the support we received from people like you." Chief Freudenthal said in recent years the pendulum has been swinging back towards honoring men and women who serve and protect the public, but he pointed out "there really isn't a pendulum in Yavapai county, because you folks have always been behind your law enforcement." He urged all citizens not to wait for a national day of honor, but to "say thank you 365 days a year because it means a lot to us." And he himself thanked all of those who wear the uniform for their sacrifices - "They spend time away from their loved ones, work midnights and weekends, and miss out on family events."

The Blue Lights event is sponsored each year by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Prescott Partnership, and Arizona's Christmas City. The lights remain blue for a few days after January 9th.