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Code 9 Project enters the Sulphur Springs city limits/ Courtesy Code 9 Project
On Tuesday afternoon, a group solemnly gathered at the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial. After walking 38 miles from Mount Pleasant to Sulphur Springs along Interstate-30, the Code 9 Project was weary. But the group had miles to go on their 122-mile trek to Dallas and promises to keep to raise awareness for active-duty suicide prevention.
As September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Code 9 Project President Brandilee Baker decided to take prevention to the road for the first annual law enforcement suicide prevention walk. The 122-mile walk, named Strides for Blue 122, began on Monday, Sept. 28 in Mount Pleasant and will end in Dallas on Oct. 3.
The ceremony kicked off in Mount Pleasant at 8:30am and included the Mount Pleasant Police Department's Honor Guard, as well as a flyover from Mid America Flight Museum.
On Tuesday, the procession stopped at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and then proceeded on to the Hopkins County Veteran’s Memorial.
While joining together in prayer to honor Hopkins County’s war heroes, however, the Blue 122 walkers received devastating news: a marine veteran in Dallas committed suicide. This did not deter the walkers, but rather inspired them to continue, Baker said.
“We want to make sure they’re able to support their officers,” Baker said. “There are more suicides in the line of duty. There is a suicide for a veteran every 22 minutes. It’s the rise of an epidemic.”
Towns along the way, including Sulphur Springs have been eager to support the marchers, which range from a crowd of 5-15 depending on how many officers are off-shift in any town at a given time. Baker herself is walking the entire 122 miles.
“The level of community and camaraderie is exactly what our mission is about,” Baker said. “We’re very happy with the community support.”
Strides For Blue 122 is 122 miles of support and solidarity for every officer silently suffering from wear and tear of the job and for every fallen officer by suicide, Baker said. It is a walk for those in need past, present and future, she noted.
“There are police officers, veterans and first responders that are dying,” Baker said. “This walk is symbolic of creating a true sense of positive brother and sisterhood to help them walk out of the darkness and save their lives.”
Strides For Blue 122 walk will have a post-walk celebration at 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at The Artisan located at 2330 Flora Street, Dallas. There will be a $3 to $5 cover charge donation at the door.
The Code 9 Project further provides stress training and a peer hotline for officers in crisis, Baker noted. Officers, first responders and veterans in need can call 1-844-HOPE-247 at any time.