LAKE NORMAN OF CATAWBA, N.C. — Thousands of people met at the BoatYard in Lake Norman this weekend for a "Back the Blue" benefit concert, with proceeds benefitting the families of the four officers killed in the line of duty in Charlotte on April 29.
Kelly Weeks, the widow of fallen Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, was a big part of Sunday’s event. Speaking with WCNC Charlotte, she said she’s grateful for all of the support.
"We're recognizing them today, but more importantly we're recognizing all the current officers that are working and serving today," Weeks said. "We have a lot of people in the law enforcement community that are protecting us and we're here to kind of lift them up and let them know that they're loved, even despite all the things that are going on in our community."
She said her husband loved live music and would have been singing and dancing along if he were at Sunday's event.
Others at the event told WCNC Charlotte they were glad to come out and show their support.
“I hope this continues every year,” Eric Peterson, a retired CMPD sergeant, said.
Peterson said this is not the first time he's been through this, mourning a fallen officer with his community, and he feels it's important for police to show up and support one another.
“There are times that you think, as police, that you think the public is not behind you," Peterson said. "But when you see this, you see the funerals, you see the support that’s on the roads during the processions -- it’s just absolutely overwhelming.”
In addition to members of the law enforcement community present at the event, residents across the Cornelius area showed up as well to show their support.
"Our police officers work so freaking hard and they don’t get half the respect they should," Gary Shaw, an attendee of the event, said. "Life is safer because of them."
Weeks said seeing that outpouring of support has meant a lot to her.
"To lose my husband was traumatic, obviously, but then to see the support of the community, all these bands are coming out -- they're donating their time, the owner of the restaurant, Chris is giving this restaurant to help us out and help the families out, and then look at all the people here," Weeks said. "It's just exciting to see that the community truly does still support law enforcement."
The money raised at the concert went to the families of the fallen officers, along with a donation to the Cornelius Police Department, which helped host the event.
"We need to remember my husband and the people who passed, but also we've got to remember the people who are still alive fighting today, so we wanted to make sure the money went to a little bit of everybody in that respect," Weeks said.
Tickets were $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Those still interested in helping the families of the officers killed can do so online.
"Seeing the support that all the citizens are bringing out here today and seeing the love they’re showing is a huge boost," Peterson said. "That’s the thing that keeps these officers going everyday.”