News — Blue Line

What Do You Know About the Most Famous Law Enforcement Icon?

The Thin Blue Line – Law Enforcement

Maybe you have seen it "the thin blue line" which can be seen all over if you look closely.

Some put blue line bumper stickers on their cars in an attempt to avoid being stopped by Police; others display the blue line to represent their current public service and/or as tribute. The thin blue line can also be seen as flags, on coffee mugs, t-shirts, key chains, lapel pins and on pocket squares (see our version here). 

But what do you really know about the most famous law enforcement icon?

The Thin Blue Line is a symbol used by law enforcement, started in the United Kingdom but now popular in the United States and Canada to commemorate fallen law enforcement officers. It also serves to symbolize the relationship of law enforcement in the community as the protectors of civilians from criminal elements.

The graphic is rather simple in design but it is the meaning and the emotion it invokes that makes the thin blue line so special. Pictured below is the blue line laser beam at the National Law-Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. 

The blue centerline represents law enforcement, the top black stripe represents the public and the bottom black line bottom represents the criminals. The idea behind the graphic is that law enforcement is what stands between the violence and victimization by criminals against civilians.

The popularity of the thin blue line symbol for law-enforcement has came several other “thin lines”.

• The Red Line – represents firefighters (see our version here). 
• The Orange Line – search and rescue, EMS, and civilians possessing a concealed weapons permit.
• The Silver Line – represents Correctional Officer’s.

What other "thin lines" have you heard of? Comment below.

Many civilians use of the symbol as an identifier intended to show support for police.

So, when your out-and-about in your life and you see these icons don’t forget to take a moment, reflect and thank your law enforcement officers for their sacrifices.

"Our nation's military and law enforcement personal work hard to protect us. We must thank them for their continued vigilance. Without their sacrifice we would less capable of protecting our nation". 

Check out our version of the Blue Line, Red Line & other Veteran/LEO Pocket Square Heroes™ designs, by clicking on the below image.