The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Retired colonel’s nonprofit honors Mazany
Organization sends police department, family members emblems of hope.
Support for fallen officer Mathew Mazany and those who knew him continues to come in from around the area and beyond.
Point 27, an Atlantabased global nonprofit founded by a retired U.S. Army colonel, on June 24 sent Thin Blue Line Scripture-inscribed dog tags called Shields of Strength to the Mentor Police Department to honor Mazany, killed in the line of duty.
Point 27 also sent Scripture-inscribed folded flag pendant necklaces for family members of the fallen officer.
Mazany is the third Ohio police officer killed in the line of duty this year. Point 27 also honored fallen Westerville Police Department officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli, killed Feb. 10 by gunfire.
Former U.S. Army Col. David Dodd serves as director of Point 27, which honors first responders, fallen officers, members of the military, veterans and fallen soldiers.
Dodd commanded a battalion of the first troops deployed to Afghanistan following 9/11. He wore a Shield of Strength inscribed with Joshua 1:9 next to his government-issued dog tags, and equipped each of the soldiers in his command with a Shield of Strength before they deployed.
He says the Scripture on the dog tag encouraged him in the difficult uncertain times during his deployment to the Middle East.
Dodd says he hopes the messages also help Mazany’s family and fellow officers, which he describes as “the soldiers stationed on the streets.”
“We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that Officer Mazany and the other fallen Ohio officers made, and we will not forget their families,” he said. “We are forever grateful for these brave men and women in law enforcement. We are presenting Thin Blue Line dog tags to thank the fellow officers of the fallen for their putting their lives on the line to protect Americans. The dog tag is engraved with a Bible verse and serves as a physical reminder that God is with them day and night as they patrol and protect the streets of their community. We want them to know we appreciate and value them.”
The face of the Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength shows an engraved silver American flag face designed with one flag stripe of blue. The back of the dog tags is inscribed with Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The folded flag pendant necklaces are engraved with John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Dodd served 27 years in the military. During his active military service, he distributed more than 10,000 Shields of Strength to members of the military, national and international leaders.
After his military retirement, he founded Point 27. The outreach also includes Thin Red Line Shields of Strength for firefighters.
In 2017, Point 27 distributed 100,000 Shields of Strength in partnership with the following national organizations: Concerns
of Police Survivors, Tragedy Assistance Program for (military) Survivors,
Patriot Guard Riders, Carry The Load and Snowball Express.