HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (June 9, 2022) — Eighth-grade graduation for an apple-cheeked Lake Forest 13-year-old could have been the pinnacle of her year.
But Alexis Taylor, daughter of Stacey and Orange County Dep. Sheriff Tom Taylor, has been focused, as well, on honoring area law enforcement officers.
The daughter of a 37-year career law enforcement veteran with 32 years of service with Orange County, has extraordinary insight into the community she wants to honor.
Over the years, Alexis and her father had been randomly giving out Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength scripture-inscribed dog tags through a global nonprofit Point 27 , based in Atlanta. Point 27 states a mission of honoring members of the military and law enforcement officers and their families. Point 27 volunteers across the nation who support law enforcement help the organization distribute to them Thin Blue Line dog tag necklaces, strung on a steel ball chain, inscribed with Matthew 5:9, which reads: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
When Alexis heard about Huntington Beach Police Pilot Nicholas Vella, killed in the line of duty in a police department helicopter crash on February 19 in Newport Beach, she wanted to reach out to those officers and others, so she has worked over the past months to engage companies, groups and individuals across the area, raising more than $1500 to support hundreds of Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength gifts from Point 27 for law enforcement across the community.
Alexis presented those dog tags to Huntington Beach Police and Orange County Airport and Air Support officers, May 25. She will also present each of the five Huntington Beach City Council members a necklace at their meeting next month, she says, “Because of their support of community law enforcement.” In the coming weeks, she plans to also make presentations to the Anaheim Air Support Division, and the Fountain Valley Police Departments. Her plans include presenting Thin Red Line Shields of Strength for firefighters from three station houses. The Thin Red Line dog tags are inscribed with Isaiah 6:8, which reads: Then I heard the voice of the Lord say, “Who shall I send and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
Alexis says her faith is important to her. Since the Taylor family members are Catholics and Alexis attends a Catholic School, she said she took all the Shields of Strength to her church so that each one could be blessed.
Taylor said he had given Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength to his division a few years ago.
“Now, with everything going on in this world and our true faith in God, Alexis told me she wanted to do something for the men and women in our community who continuously give of themselves unselfishly for a better cause. We so often forget about the sacrifices made by these brave men and women and their families. All the holidays missed and the long sleepless nights, praying to God that they will soon hear their loved one as he/she comes through the front door, putting to rest another long sleepless night. She has lived this.
“We feel it’s good to let them know that all their efforts are seen and appreciated, even if all we have to offer is a small dog tag and a brief note saying that we know you are out there, and we’ve asked God to keep you safe with your own guardian angel,” he said. That’s all we really want.”
For the Huntington Beach Police Department, Alexis made a display for their station lobby honoring them, and she personally addressed the officers as she gave the gifts.
The card she made to give with each Shield of Strength gift from Point 27 shares her heart. It reads, “Not all heroes wear capes, true heroes wear badges! Thank you for your service and always protecting and serving our community? You truly do make our community safer! Lots of love and support from Alexis Taylor.”
By Marcia Davis
