Injured Fort Worth officer stars at Back the Blue event

May 21,2016

By Sarah Bahari

Chanting “Back the Blue,” hundreds marched down Main Street on Saturday morning to offer support for law enforcement and thank police officers.

“We owe them all of our gratitude for keeping us safe,” said Sara Craig of Fort Worth, the daughter of a retired officer. “They leave for work not knowing whether they will return home. Our communities are safer because of their dedication.”

Supporters, many dressed in black and blue, carried signs that read, “We Back the Blue” and “We love law enforcement.” Local elected officials spoke to rallygoers, urging them to thank police officers.

Councilman Sal Espino said officers are crucial to helping Fort Worth reach its goal of becoming the nation’s safest major city.

But the spotlight of the event belonged to Fort Worth police officer Matt Pearce and his family. Pearce was critically injured in March, when he was shot seven times in a gunfire exchange with a fugitive.

Sitting in a wheelchair with part of his face concealed by a bandage, Pearce said well-wishes from friends and strangers have helped him recover. More therapy lies ahead, but he said he has made major strides.

“You will see me in a uniform again,” he said.

Spouses of police have a special bond, Laura Pearce told rallygoers. They help clean uniforms, pack lunches, hush children so officers can sleep after a long shift, attend family functions alone and lie awake at night worrying, she said.

In the days and weeks after her husband was critically injured, Laura Pearce said the community reached out in ways she never expected.

“Your love lifted us up,” she said. “It has been a long road, and there is more ahead.”

Back the Blue began last year as the Black Lives Matters campaign, which protested the deaths of black people in killings by law enforcement officers, erupted nationwide.

Organizers Nanette Samuelson and Jason Baldwin said they started the rally in response to the killing of sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth, who was shot while pumping gas in Houston.

Next year, Baldwin said, they hope the rally catches on nationwide.