On September 11, 2013, nearly 120 runners participated in the College of Criminology & Criminal Justice’s inaugural Blue Light Memorial 5k and candlelight vigil. The race served as a fundraiser for a permanent fallen officer memorial at the College on Florida State University’s campus and brought in more than $7,500. As participants ran through FSU’s campus they were cheered on by volunteers from the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy and Lambda Alpha Epsilon, a professional criminal justice fraternity.
Immediately following the race, family, friends, students, and alumni gathered near historic Eppes Hall, the future site of the memorial, for a short candlelight vigil service to honor fallen officers. During the past several years, six FSU Criminology alumni have lost their lives while serving in the line of duty. Those celebrated and remembered include: Rogerio Rene Morales, Sergeant Daniel “Dale” Green, Special Agent Robert John Williams, Lieutenant Corey Dahlem, Ernest K. Ponce de Leon, and Scott Michael “Scotty” Roberson.