CINCINNATI -- This October, you might notice Cincinnati police officers wearing something a little different on their uniforms to honor one of their own.
Kimberly Williams was the first African-American woman to advance to the rank of captain within the Cincinnati Police Department. Earlier this year, she died of breast cancer.
“I had the pleasure of having her as my captain and my lieutenant,” Officer Malynda Jordan said.
Williams was more than just a police officer or a captain, she was a community activist, a mother and a friend to many. Now, officers are wearing pink badges to honor their fallen comrade.
“We just think it’s a great idea, so many of us (have) been impacted by that (breast cancer), and their families. I know my mom is a breast cancer survivor,” Lt. Steven Saunders said.
The hope is for the pink badges to be a visible sign for those who are still fighting, and to honor a woman whose strength and compassion live on as her legacy.
“We are getting a lot of feedback from the citizens in the community -- they are loving these pink badges,” Jordan said.
In just a little over two weeks’ time, the department has sold 600 badges and raised $3,000 for Williams’ son.
“I would like everybody to just remember Captain Williams and just remember, you know, family or friends that, some are fighting this this battle every day, some have beat the battle, some lost the battle, and it’s just a continuous thing that we have to continue to remember,” Sgt. Lakisha Gross said.
Chief Eliot Isaac likes the idea so much, he wants to make this an annual event.
