Blue Lights: 200 People Brave Freezing Cold To Honor Law Enforcement

Published on January 12, 2026

Nearly 200 people stood on the north side of the Prescott Courthouse Plaza January 9th in freezing temperatures to hear Yavapai County law enforcement leaders speak and to show gratitude for the "thin blue line". It was the annual Blue Lights Ceremony on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, folks braving the cold to say "Thank You" to police officers, deputies and troopers from county law enforcement agencies.

YCSO Chief Deputy Jeff Newnum said law enforcement personnel "stand as guardians between order and chaos" and "step into uncertainty so others can remain safe, often at a great personal cost." He reminded the crowd that these men and women are human beings "who sacrifice time with family, accept risk as routine, and carry the weight of decisions that can never be undone. Their commitment reflects a belief in something larger than themselves: the rule of law, public safety, and the hope that communities can be safer, more just places." And he told the gathering, "Their service is measured in lives protected, conflicts defused, and communities held together through patience, perseverance, and presence."

Prescott PD Chief Amy Bonney told the crowd, "We are here to honor men and women who choose every day to step forward when others step back." And she emphasized those in law enforcement who have paid the ultimate price, including fallen YCSO Sgt Rick "R Lo" Lopez. "Their courage continues to live on in the communities they served and the families they left behind. Their sacrifice is not a talking point. It is real. It is permanent. And it deserves more than a passing acknowledgement." She also spoke of the current national environment: "Commentary from the sidelines is easy. Having the courage to put on the uniform is not. Policing is one of the few professions where the danger does not clock out at the end of a shift. And there is constant awareness that a routine call can turn deadly without warning. The blue light reminds us that behind the commentary and the clicks, there are professionals standing watch, day after day, guided by duty, integrity and service."

Jerome PD Deputy Chief Mike Odle spoke of the unseen power of public support, citing the story of a retired Air Force leader who came across the anonymous enlisted man who many years before had packed the parachute for several of the officer's missions. Odle told the gathering, "You are the ones who pack our parachute. We are grateful for your continued support for us."

Prescott Valley PD Chief Bob Ticer, whose family has been in Arizona law enforcement for seven decades including two sons now serving with YCSO, told the crowd the great cooperation between all law enforcement agencies in Yavapai County is "something really special" that is not found everywhere. He also pointed to "some things going on in this country where they are trying to take away our tools and stop us from doing our jobs" and asked the residents to "stand the watch with us as we serve our communities and see that victims receive justice. When you say 'thank you' to us, it means something."

Chief Ticer then gave the command, and the lights on the Courthouse Plaza trees turned blue in support of law enforcement.