Supporting Families of Fallen Officers is Oconee Man's Mission

(Originally published on March 6, 2012)

Organizing Night of Blue Lights-- an annual event that brings together multiple law enforcement agencies and members of the community to raise money for families of fallen officers-- has become a second full-time job for Oconee County resident Lee Dyer.

The idea came to him in a dream in late 2010.  The dream was realized last March when hundreds of citizens and more than a dozen agencies raised about $7,000 for the Georgia Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).

The event was so successful that immediately Dyer began planning for this year's event with the same goal: "to raise as much as possible for the cause."

His motivation is simple. He has a nephew in Gainesville and two cousins in Gwinnett County that work in law enforcement, in addition to many friends who are officers.

"People don't realize law enforcement is really one big family," he said. "They stand behind each other and it hurts everybody when they lose one."

Bigger, better and brighter in 2012

This year the event has grown three-fold and promises to be bigger, better, and brighter.  Because of its sheer size, it has been moved from the Oconee Civic Center to Oconee Veterans Park and will take place on March 10 from 4-9 p.m.

At least 17 Georgia agencies have signed up, including the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and Atlanta Police Department, which both lost officers in March 2011 and January 2012, respectively. And more are welcome to attend.

"I'd love to have one car from every [Georgia] agency," he said.

Law enforcement vehicles entered into a contest will be in the running for awards like "Best Blue Lights," "Brightest Blue Lights" and "Viewer's Choice."

The larger canine demonstration "will be one heck of a show" this year, Dyer said. There will also be food, kids activities, race cars, dragsters and even a dragster bike. Dyer said he also has surprises in the works for everyone in attendance.

Like last year, Thomas J. Madden and Associates, Inc. and Force 911 --companies that outfit vehicles for law enforcement agencies-- will conduct blue light demonstrations.

But the highlight of the evening will again come at dusk when, for two minutes of complete silence, all of the agencies will turn on their lights and the night's sky will transform into a sea of blue in memory of the fallen officers.

Dyer, who works full-time in delivery for McCann Aerospace, spends countless hours working on Night of Blue Lights and has written or responded to more than 5,000 emails in just the last month.

It's a lot of work, but he says he wouldn't have it any other way.  He's thankful to have a team of volunteers to assist.

"I couldn't ask for better friends to help me out with this," Dyer said. "It makes my day when it all comes together."

Committed to the cause

Supporting law enforcement is important to Dyer and his dedication is equally meaningful to the peace officers he helps, according to Chief Deputy Lee Weems of the

"It really means a lot to have citizens being involved in such a capacity," he said. "[Dyer's] really putting a lot of time and effort into this and it's not easy to do. He wants to try to help [officers’ families] as much as he can."

Weems said Night of Blue lights does more than raise money for COPS; it raises morale among officers.

"It's good to have everybody together and it not be related to working a case," he said.  "It builds fellowship.  It's good seeing people from other agencies."

While Night of the Blue Lights is Dyer's main project, if the need arises, he'll organize other events in support of officers.

"He's always there and always willing to help with anything," Weems said.

For example, after Athens-Clarke County Senior Police Officer Buddy Christian was killed, Dyer organized a softball tournament for the benefit of Christian's wife and two small children children.  Though a date has not been set, Dyer says another tournament is in the works.

"This is where my heart is," he said. "I love the challenge."

Keep up with the latest happenings on the Night of Blue Lights Facebook page.