Hagersville is paying respect to a Calgary Police Sergeant killed in the line of duty on New Year’s Eve.

Sgt. Andrew Harnett lived and worked for Calgary Police Services but he grew up in Hagersville. His home town, like the country, is mourning his loss and celebrating his life.

Childhood friends of Andrew organized a campaign to get area residents to add blue or black ribbons to their doors, porches and trees. Many individuals and businesses are are also replacing porch lights with blue bulbs, a memorial that began in Calgary where he was a police officer for 12 years.

The Millards Chartered Professional Accountants office in Hagersville joins with the other area businesses and organizations that are honouring Sgt. Andrew Harnett by going blue.

Ted Leyzer, CPA and CA at Millards Chartered Professional Accountants in Hagersville says the loss is felt deeply in the small town where Sgt. Harnett was raised.

“While he went on to serve as a prominent member of one of Canada’s largest and most respected police services, Hagersville instilled his values and principals. This was the hometown he cherished. Hagersville is in pain right now and our hearts go out the family and friends of Sgt. Andrew Harnett.”

Sgt. Andrew Harnett, 37, died in hospital of injuries sustained during a traffic stop he conducted New Year’s Eve. The driver of one of the vehicles Harnett stopped shortly before 11 p.m. tried to flee, taking off in an SUV and striking and dragging the officer.

Harnett leaves behind his wife, Chelsea, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child.

Those close to Harnett knew him as a consummate police officer. He’d been decorated with two Chief’s Awards for lifesaving over his 12-year career with Calgary Police Services and before that, he was a military police officer.

An email address has been established for those wishing to send messages of condolence to Sgt. Harnett’s family condolences@nullcalgarypolice.ca