Point 27, a global nonprofit based in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday honored two fallen Alabama law enforcement officers, Phenix City Police Department Assistant Chief Gail Green-Gilliam, and Air Force veteran and Moody Police Department Lt. Stephen Williams.
Gilliam died June 24 after contracting COVID-19 as the result of a presumed exposure during an outbreak within the Phenix City department. Williams was killed by gunfire while responding to a 911 call at the Super Eight Motel in Moody.
In February, Point 27 also honored fallen Kimberly Police Department Officer Nick O’Rear, who died February 5, from a gunshot and injuries suffered in a vehicle crash after he was shot.
Point 27 is directed and founded by Retired Army Col. David Dodd. The group honored the officers by sending gifts of Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength dog tag necklaces engraved with Mathew 5:8: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God,” to both the Phenix City and Moody PDs.
For the fallen officers’ family members, Point 27 also sent gifts of Folded Flag Pendant Necklaces inscribed with John 15:15, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
“We are forever grateful for these brave men and women in law enforcement,” Dodd said. “We are presenting Thin Blue Line Dog Tags to the officers who served closest with the fallen, to thank these officers for putting their lives on the line every day to protect their communities. The dog tag is engraved with a Bible verse and serves as a physical reminder that God is with them day and night as they patrol and protect the streets of their communities. We want them to know we appreciate and value them.”
“For the family members, we pray the scripture on the Folded Flag Pendant Necklaces reminds them that we will never forget their loved ones,” Dodd added.
Since its founding, Point 27 has awarded gifts of several hundred thousand Shields of Strength to members of the military, veterans and law enforcement officers, including high volume gifts in partnership with the national organizations: Concerns of Police Survivors, Tragedy Assistance Program for [military] Survivors and The Gary Sinise Foundation.
Since 2018, Point 27 has honored all law enforcement officers in America, who die from all causes suffered in the line of duty. Line of duty deaths have included deaths from 9/11-related illnesses, and now Point 27 recognizes COVID-19 as another threat to law enforcement, and honors officers who die from the virus they were exposed to on duty.
“The ultimate goal is to equip every law enforcement officer in the country with a gift of the Thin Blue Line Shield of Strength,” Dodd concluded.
Dodd commanded a battalion of the first troops deployed to Afghanistan following 911. He wore a Shield of Strength inscribed with Joshua 1:9 next to his government-issued dog tags, and he equipped each of the soldiers in his command with a Joshua 1:9 dog tag before they deployed.
Dodd founded Point 27, after retiring from 27 years of military service. The purpose of Point 27 is, “to encourage members of the military, veterans and families of the fallen with Shields of Strength inscribed with the scriptures which encouraged him and the troops in his command.”
In 2015, law enforcement officers requested Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength and specified the scripture they wanted on the dog tags.
