COLUMBUS, Ohio — Central Ohio is once again participating in the statewide “Light Ohio Blue” campaign, a heartfelt initiative honoring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and those who continue to serve with courage and commitment.
This year’s campaign runs from May 7–17, 2025, and encourages Ohioans to show support by changing their home exterior lights to blue. Across the region, buildings, neighborhoods, and landmarks will shine blue in solidarity with law enforcement.
Central Ohio will officially kick off the campaign on Wednesday, May 7, with a series of events in Columbus from 3:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The kickoff will include guest speakers, community recognitions, and the launch and return of the Light Ohio Blue cruiser caravan, which will travel through communities to honor officers and their families.
One of the cities joining the tribute is Upper Arlington, where a police cruiser will take part in the caravan, following a symbolic route:
- Entering the city from Hilliard, traveling east on Fishinger Road to Five Points
- Heading north on Tremont Road, passing the Municipal Services Center
- Traveling south on Kenny Road to Woody Hayes Drive
- Concluding with a tribute at Ohio Stadium, where cruisers will circle “The Shoe”
Meanwhile, on Thursday, May 8, the state will pause for a moment of remembrance at the 37th Annual Ohio Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony. Held at 11 a.m. at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) in London, Ohio, the solemn event will honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.
Among those being remembered this year is Deputy Rex A. Emrick of the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, who will be honored for his service and sacrifice. Also recognized during the ceremony:
- Officer Jacob Derbin, Euclid Police Department
- Officer Jamieson R. Ritter, Cleveland Division of Police
- Lieutenant David Reynolds, Butler County Sheriff’s Office
- Two historical honorees will also receive posthumous recognition.
Deputy Emrick devoted nearly 47 years to law enforcement, all but the first 18 months with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office. Along the way, law enforcement organizations and civic groups formally recognized his numerous accomplishments with awards and citations. True to form, though, Deputy Emrick, who most recently worked as a detective for the sheriff’s office, always deflected attention away from himself and toward his law enforcement colleagues: “In a small department, it takes everyone to make successful arrests.”
Deputy Emrick died of complications from COVID-19 in January 2021, five weeks shy of his 70th birthday.
Recently State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) has introduced legislation to honor Pickaway County Sheriff’s Deputy Rex Emrick. The bill would designate a portion of State Route 56 in Pickaway County as the “Detective Rex Emrick Memorial Highway.”
The Ohio Fallen Officers Memorial Wall at OPOTA bears the names of peace officers lost in the line of duty since 1823, and its eternal flame serves as a symbol of Ohio’s unwavering commitment to honor and remember them.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, along with members of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, law enforcement personnel, and members of the public, will be present to pay tribute—rain or shine.
