Story & Photography by Woody Woodard

Carl Perkins Civic Center was the site of the “Honor the Blue & First Responders 2017.” There was a full house downstairs as Public Information Officer, Tom Mapes, introduced all aspects of the celebration. The audience met the three police dogs who have become a huge asset and drug identifier for one of the largest drug busts in recent times.

The sheriff and the Shelby County Pipes & Drums were in attendance and performed. The bagpipes are very synonymous with law and fire events and were outlawed in early Scot-Irish heritage by England as weapons of war. The group was a combination of a community pipe and drum group and the Sheriff’s Pipe & Drums. The community group is integrated into one unit for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Pipes & Drums.

TBI Deputy Director, Jason Locke, spoke about the loss of TBI Agent Frazier, lamenting his early departure. State Police Col. Tracy Trott said this event is the largest event supporting law enforcement he has ever witnessed.