Governor Timothy M. Kaine has declared Friday, April 20, 2007 a statewide day of mourning for the victims of Monday’s tragedy at Virginia Tech. The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) recommends that all Virginia sheriffs and deputies shroud their badges on April 20 as a show of respect for the lives lost in this horrific event. As an alternative, sheriffs and deputies may opt to wear ribbons in Virginia Tech’s colors of maroon and orange on their uniforms on Friday.
The shrouding of a law enforcement badge is traditionally reserved to honor the life of an officer killed in the line of duty. The tragedy at Virginia Tech is unprecedented in Virginia and in U.S. history, and it is appropriate at this time to extend that honor to the innocent lives lost on April 16, 2007. The VSA requests that all Virginia law enforcement officers join together to express our shared respect for the victims, and as a show of support for our Virginia law enforcement family members who have worked so professionally and tirelessly to bring closure to this horrific crime.
On Friday, Governor Kaine will participate in an interfaith prayer service in Monroe Park on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He has encouraged other communities in Virginia and across the nation to hold their own simultaneous ceremonies and participate in prayer services, beginning with the ringing of bells at noon, eastern daylight savings time.
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