By Brenda L. Holmes
PLAINFIELD — Fallen law enforcement officers were honored once again at a special ceremony for those who died in the line of duty. The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield hosted the 12th annual Project Blue Light ceremony earlier this week.
Serving as the keynote speaker for the event was Burkentta Geisler, co-president of the Indiana chapter of C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.). Geisler’s brother, deputy Shadron Bassett of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, was killed when his vehicle struck as tree while he was responding to a call.
“On Oct. 7, 2005, my whole world changed forever when for unknown reasons my brother’s vehicle left the road and crashed,” Geisler said. “We were all so proud of Shad. He loved cars. Mustangs were his favorite. When Shad was 5 he decided to paint a brand new Monte Carlo. After he was done, it was a goldish yellow.”
She said she remembers his sense of humor and how much he loved his family and work.
“He was the fun uncle,” Geisler said. “He would get them going with laughter until they were squealing and then disappear so he was not the one to get in trouble. But then he was the first one there to give hugs and kisses when someone got hurt.”
Since his death, Geisler said there have been so many times when she wished he was still alive to see something special or to have him to lean on.
“Today was one of those days,” Geisler said. “Today, I wish Shad could have been here to see his niece (her daughter) be sworn into the Marines. He would have been proud of her. Shad was Kelsey’s hero. On the day he died she wrote him a poem called, ‘I remember.’”
Geisler shared that poem with the crowd and thanked them all for coming out to pay honor to their loved ones.
The national C.O.P.S. organization has helped more than 10,000 surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Project Blue Light began several years ago with the help of Dolly Craig, the surviving mother-in-law of Daniel Gleason, a Philadelphia, Pa., officer killed in the line of duty in 1986.
“We are a family and we offer support in any way we can,” Geisler said. “We help to rebuild shattered lives.”
Blue lights now burn during the holiday season each year nationwide to honor and remember those law enforcement officers who have given their lives in service to the profession.
The lights are also meant to thank men and women of the badge who are now in service.
During the program in Plainfield there was a roll call of heroes where the officers’ names were called and friends and family members were escorted to a white wreath where they placed a blue carnation in honor of their lost loved one.
Geisler, joined by her daughter, Kelsey Geisler, was given the honor of placing the flower on the wreath.
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
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www.indianacops.org
