‘Embrace the Blue’ rally to be held in Corbin Sunday

A rally to support local, state and federal law enforcement personnel, along with all U.S. military branches, will be held this Sunday at Corbin City Hall.

“Embrace the Blue” will begin at 4:00 p.m. on the front lawn outside of the Corbin Police Department. It’s main organizer, Shonya O’Neill, said the event is a response to negative portrayals of law enforcement officers in recent news stories, and the shooting death of Kentucky State Police Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder in Eddyville on Sept. 13.

Ponder was killed during a pursuit with a suspect he had tried to stop for driving on a suspended license, and who was wanted on criminal charges in Missouri.

“I know as a spouse of a police officer, I’m starting to feel a little beat down, so I figured they were too,” O’Neill said. “They are probably feeling like they are being attacked and no on is standing up for them or has their backs. I thought this might make them feel a little better.”

For O’Neill, the issue hits close to home.

Her husband, Bob O’Neill, is special agent for the U.S. Forest Service. Her son Austin is currently at basic training for the U.S. Army.

O’Neill said she knows officers from the Corbin Police Department and the U.S. Forest Service will be taking part in the ceremony. She thinks representatives from Kentucky State Police, Williamsburg Police Department, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Dept. and others will also be involved.

The Corbin High School JROTC program will be presenting the colors and the high school band will play The National Anthem. Corbin High School student Zach Hart will be singing “God Bless the USA.”

keynote speaker at the event.

O’Neill said Immanuel Baptist Church Pastor Allen Bonnell will also be speaking at the rally.

T-shirts for “Embrace the Blue” have been donated to Corbin Police and will be on sale at the rally for $10 each.

Proceeds of the sale of the shirt will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in honor of Trooper Ponder and U.S. Forest Service Officer Jason Crisp, and his K-9 partner Maros. Crisp and Maros lost their lives in 2014 in Burke County, NC during a manhunt for a double murder suspect.

“I hope we have a good turnout. Everyone is encouraged to come and show their support for our law enforcement officers and military,” O’Neill said. “I’m sure they will be humbled with whatever the turnout is. They just need some support.”