For Theresa Knox, the blue light shining on her porch every night is personal.
In July 2014, Mendota Heights Police Officer Scott Patrick conducted a traffic stop in West St. Paul, Minn., and was shot and killed. Knox was a good friend of Patrick and is dating Patrick's brother.
While grieving, Knox found a Facebook page devoted to shining a blue light in remembrance of police officers killed in the line of duty, and that light has shone on her porch ever since.
"I've always valued how they protect people and have always respected their work," Knox said. "So this is my way of honoring that."
After Fargo Police Officer Jason Moszer was shot in a standoff last week, the department has asked residents to display blue lights on their porches at night to show support for Moszer's family. The blue lights are part of a nationwide effort to show support for law enforcement.
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"Every time a police officer is killed, it brings me back to where I was a year and a half ago-feeling that tragic loss and how much I gained personally from seeing support from many people you don't even know," Knox said. "So in the light of feeling so helpless when another police officer has been killed, I want to show my support this way."
Knox said after she went through a similar loss, the community's outpouring of support meant a lot to her and Patrick's family and friends.
"That's part of why I do the blue light. I feel like I'm part of a bigger initiative to support the law enforcement and public safety."
Donna Gravelle of McVille, N.D., also said she shines a blue light in support of law enforcement. She said she's seen similar demonstrations, such as green lights in support of veterans of the military.
"I thought it would be a good idea to have a blue light in remembrance of Jason (Moszer) and all other police officers," Gravelle said. "We want them to be safe, and this is a way to honor them."
Moszer, a six-year member of the police force, was wounded in a shootout Wednesday night that occurred following a response to a domestic disturbance call. He died the next day.
Marcus Schumacher, 49, shot at police and hit Moszer, police said. The standoff ended with Schumacher's death.
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