An abundance of flowers are building outside Reedley's police department. But most noticeable are the blue ribbons starting to pop up around town. They honor fallen officer Javier Bejar.
"It shows that we support our officers," said Valerie Pieroni with the Reedley Chamber of Commerce.
Pieroni is sponsoring the blue ribbon campaign. Starting Tuesday these ribbons with the word 'COPS' will be available to the public.
Pieroni: "Is how we support our law enforcement, our fallen, those who put their lives on the line day in and out."
Bejar was shot Thursday while responding to a standoff in the tiny town of Minkler. Those close to Bejar said he was destined to protect the community.
"He said he was gonna join the service for so long, go to the academy and be a police officer in Reedley," said Juan Garza, Bejar's former principal at Reedley High. "I used to tell him he was going to be a role model, an example for his siblings and other kids," he said.
Garza saw that call to duty solidify during the junior police program called Explorers. "He wanted opportunities for experiences to interact with the police department and other students to have that opportunity to see that."
Garza does have one lasting memory. A few weeks ago Bejar pulled him over for talking on his cell phone while driving. He had a message for his mentor.
Garza: "He pulled me over to remind me that I'm a role model and that I should be using the wireless piece instead of using the cell phone."
Memorial funds have been set up for those who would like to help the families of Deputy Wahlenmeier and Officer Bejar.
