The blue lights on a home at the North Wilma Avenue roundabout is a Ripon couple’s way of thanking peace officers for what they do to protect communities.

 John and Sandra Lackey have lighted the outside of their home using blue lights honoring 10 officers killed nationwide in January alone. 

Corporal Ronil Singh was shoot to death in Newman after pulling over a gang member for drunken driving and Davis rookie Officer Natalie Corona was killed responding to a traffic accident in her city by an individual who claimed police had been sending ultrasonic sounds at him for years.  He later committed suicide.

Sandra Lackey said she has a brother whose partner was killed in a shooting incident and she feels close to the officers who daily put their lives on the line for the citizens of their communities.

Her husband John said he has heard comments from people walking their dogs by their North Wilma Avenue home.  He quoted one man as saying, “Hey, I know what blue is all about.  Thanks a lot.”

Two Ripon Police officers Sgt. Steve Meese and Paul Staley rode into the Lakey’s front yard late Tuesday afternoon to offer their thanks, having seen the large blue bows tied to the Lakey’s evergreen trees and the piercing blue lights around the house that are turned on at dusk and underscore their concern for all the officers on the streets.

Sandra Lackey is a retired courtroom victims’ advocate and her husband John is a maintenance executive working in Tracy.  Sandra watches the national news and keeps close tabs on officers who lose their lives in the line of duty and their canine partners at their sides as well. 

Demonstrating her support is the least she can do for them, she said.   

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.