Rockford Church hosts the city's first Faith and Blue event

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The city of Rockford has experienced several tragedies in the last year. Saturday evening, religious organizations, law enforcement and the community come together to heal together.

Faith and Blue is a national event designed to bring the faith community and law enforcement together by finding ways to work together rather than be divided by differences. After three years of discussions, the event finally came to Rockford.

“One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch,” says event coordinator Janice Mathis.

Faith and Blue is based on strong communities built on mutual respect and understanding. Event coordinators say it is important to host this event to counteract the reputation of law enforcement.

“The faith community and law enforcement are coming together and we know that when we come together and are strong, we can build a stronger community,” said Michelle Marcomb, public information officer for Rockford Police.

Marcomb was one of four people honored locally, along with Chief Carla Redd, Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana and Rockford Park District Chief Theo Glover.

Rockford Church hosts the city’s first Faith and Blue event

“All law enforcement is not bad and we need to know that and other people need to know that and know that they are here because whenever there is a problem who are you going to call,” explains event coordinator Adgereanna Amor.

Organizers say law enforcement and faith are the cornerstones of every community, including in Rockford, and neighborhoods can thrive when they work together.

“As a former law enforcement officer myself, I just think it’s a beautiful thing to be able to bring the community together for something good instead of it always being something negative,” Amor said.

Janice Mathis says she is happy to be part of something that honors law enforcement and faith, two things that have supported her in the past.

“About four years ago, our family experienced a tragedy in which my granddaughter was killed. And whoever showed up was a police officer and a clergyman, religious and blue,” says Mathis.

Also at Saturday’s event was “The Gospel Cop” Minster Mervin Mayo, a Virginia police officer who recently appeared on America’s Got Talent.

Coordinators hope to make “Faith and Blue” an annual tradition in the city of Rockford to encourage people after a tragedy.

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