Police badge recalls those lost in 9-11

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Police officers in Grants are wearing special commemorative badges to honor the victims of the tragic event in New York where two hijacked airplanes felled two towers full of people on Sept. 11, 2001.

Police Chief Marty Vigil said the police department had not previously commemorated the tragedy and decided to do it this year.

“Officers will wear the badges for the entire month of September,” he said. “When the month is over the badges will be stored until next year.”

Vigil said he is hoping that the badges will be worn every September to commemorate the event.

“I am hoping that we are starting a tradition here,” he said.
The badges are shaped like a shield, like the department’s badges.

Vigil said he ordered 18 badges, for the 16 police officers and two extra in case one is lost or damaged, or the department is fully staffed in September 2008. The department currently has two open positions.

The badge is colorful. On a gold background “Police Officer” is imposed in blue letters with a gold ribbon.
Below that, the twin towers of the World Trade Center are represented by symbols of the American flag.

“Commemorative 9-11” is at the bottom of the badge with police officer spelled out, an American eagle, two American flags and representative patches of New York police and Grants police.

“The officers are wearing these badges with pride,” Vigil said.

“I like wearing the badge because a lot of people lost their lives on Sept. 11 and this country needs to remember that,“ Officer Bill Marion said.

Lt. Maxine Spidle said wearing the badge helps honor those police officers and firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while trying to help others.

“We are wearing these badges out of respect,” Sgt. James Spidle said. “I like the badge, it is well designed and I’m proud to wear it.“

Detective Amber Marez said a lot of people remember the firefighters who lost their lives that day, but there were a lot of police officers who died also.

Sgt. Gilbert Gonzales said a lot of the officers found the Web site where Vigil purchased the badges and are buying commemorative badges for themselves.

“I like the idea of honoring not only the civilians who died but the firefighters and the 90 police officers too,” Lt. Corey Allen said.

“People have had good comments when they see the new badges and they like it,” he said.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.