On July 11, North Branford Police were given a show of support that could be called "NBPD Proud," organized by North Branford resident, teacher and North Branford Proud Facebook group contributor Judy Bannon. The page is curated by resident Denise George, who founded the local Facebook group.

Following the tragic shooting deaths of five Dallas TX police officers (with another 12 officers injured) by a lone sniper ambushing a peaceful protest on July 7, citizens around the nation began making many visible efforts to show support for police officers who protect and serve.

Bannon thought her neighbors in North Branford might want to do the same and posted an invitation to join her on Monday from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at locations in town. Her idea was to hold signs with messages of encouragement and thanks to the members of NBPD. Several residents of all ages made sure to turn out, bearing signs at two points on Route 80/Foxon Road, Town Hall and Jerome Harrison Elementary School.

Bannon told Zip06 while the vast majority of drivers passing by waved, tooted horns or smiled in approval, a few made a point of showing they disagreed with the show of support. Bannon said the effort was in no way being done to negate recent separate police shooting deaths of two individuals (in Baton Rouge, LA and Falcon Heights MN) which sparked numerous "Black Lives Matter" peaceful protests including the one in Dallas TX on July 7.

"The events of the last couple of weeks obviously have everyone thinking about their world and what they can do to make it a better place," Bannon said. "My intention was never to negate any of the deaths that happened (in LA and MN), but simply to support our local police department because we so respect and admire what they do for our town."

Bannon, who was joined by other supporters at Town Hall on July 11, said the two town officers on duty in the area during that time did stop by to thank everyone.

While he coudn't be there, NBPD Detective Sergeant Sean Anderson's wife Cindy said she felt her husband and those he works with at NBPD would be "super proud and just excited to see some positive support." 

Anderson brought the couple's three young sons to help her hold signs outside of Town Hall including those reading, "Our HERO wears a badge. We call him DAD. Thank you NBPD" and "We Support NB in BLUE".

Resident Peg Calamita also came out with two bold signs reading "My HERO Wears a Badge" and "We Support Our Police." The signs were made by Calamita's daughter, married to a Norwalk police officer. The Town Hall group was also had sign-holding help and some great cheerleading from some of Bannon's former students, including Natalia Lucibello and siblings Robert Mullins and Kiley Mullins. Twelve-year old Robert Mullins said he felt it was important to be there because his dad, Robert Mullins Sr., used to serve as a police officer with New Haven Police.

Over at Jerome Harrison Elementary School, supporters included a bunch of North Branford softball team members. Clad in purple uniforms, they helped hold up signs for NBPD. There were also several more youngsters together residents such as Sue Bush, who came out with a friend and waved a "Honk for NBPD" sign at passing traffic.

"We're getting a lot of horns honking for us," said Bush.

The event's visibility at both sites was heightened due to heavy traffic re-routed to Route 80 following a motor vehicle accident at about 1:30 p.m. on I-95 southbound in Branford.

Bush said she decided she would be a part of the show of support as soon as she saw the Facebook post from Bannon.

"I just thought it was a great thing to do," said Bush.