GASTONIA, N.C. -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Gastonia Police Department is doing their part to help raise awareness.
- Gastonia PD officers and staff wearing pink badges and patches to honor breast cancer survivors
- The department lost one of its own to breast cancer in 2004
- The department is selling patches with profits going toward Cancer Services of Gaston County
Officers and staff members are now wearing pink badges and patches on their uniforms to honor survivors as well as those who lost their lives to cancer.
The department lost one of its own, Officer Leigh-Anne Price, to breast cancer in 2004. Sgt. Tracey Bess, who recently retired from the department, is currently battling breast cancer.
Officer Caleb Price, Leigh-Anne's son, says the uniform and the new accessories now have a deeper meaning.
"I was very proud, very proud of my department, very proud of where I work. I got a little emotional [putting it on]. I'm proud of wearing this uniform, period. But to have the pink badge and the pink patches means a lot more," Officer Price said.
The department is also selling the patches, and the money raised will go toward Cancer Services of Gaston County.
"It's pretty awesome. We are a local non-profit agency, and we cannot do what we do without the support of our community, so it's pretty awesome to see the police officers come together and do this for us," said Kim Elmore, the Community Outreach Director for Cancer Services.
If you would like to buy a patch, they are $5 and you can purchase them at the Gastonia Police Department until the end of October.