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Park City painted blue to show support for the police

Park City police officer Mikel Archibeque and the Jazz Bear cook hamburgers on Saturday during the Paint the Town Blue event in support of the police. The event drew a steady stream of people as blue ribbons, tape and other decorations were distributed outside The Market at Park City.
Jay Hamburger/Park Record

MeriAnn Boxall on Saturday wore a T-shirt with a message on the back: “Most people never get to meet their heroes.”

She married hers, the shirt said.

Boxall is the wife of Park City police officer Art Boxall, a relationship she proudly spoke about during the Paint the Town Blue event outside The Market at Park City. She was one of the organizers of Paint the Town Blue, which is meant to show support for law enforcement in a national environment that has been challenging for officers.

“It’s more prevalent, the negativity,” she said, adding, “People jump to conclusions before hearing the story.”

She mentioned the shooting of officers in Dallas as one of the events in the past year that has made it more dangerous for the police.

“There’s been a lot of point-blank targeting of police,” she said. “He’s there and he is in uniform. He is one of them, a police officer.”

The Paint the Town Blue event, held under sunny skies, drew a stream of interested Parkites who appeared to back the service of the police. The organizers distributed bracelets, blue ribbons and stickers. They also placed strips of blue tape on some vehicles. The Jazz Bear was in attendance to rally people for the police. Some of the officers in attendance wore the blue ribbons.

“If it happens in Dallas, it’s a brotherhood . . . It’s a blue family,” she said.

Proceeds from the event will be put toward the Park City lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police to assist with programs like the annual holiday Shop with a Cop for underprivileged children.

Mikel Archibeque, a Park City officer who is the president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge, said people in the community have long backed the local agency. He said he is “very appreciative” of the support.

“More people come up to me and say ‘Thank you for what you do.’ That doesn’t go unnoticed,” Archibeque said.

Park City


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