Presenting a commemorative 20-year Twin Lakes Cruisers Thin Blue Line award, from left, Jeannine Colstrom, Jan Ogleby, Larry Colstrom, Osage City Police Chief Fred Nech, Assistant Chief Tom Harm, Richard Swarts, Jeanette Swarts, Scott Colstrom and Karen Colstrom. Twin Lakes Cruisers photo.
By Jeanette Swarts, Twin Lakes Cruisers
The past several years, Osage City and Osage County law enforcement have assisted the Osage City car club, Twin Lakes Cruisers, with selecting a vehicle of their choice for an award at the “Cruis’n and Cook’n” Auto Show, which is held the second Saturday in April. For several years they were visible as a dual purpose of being on duty, and enjoying looking at the nice variety of cars, trucks, motorcycles and rat rods that participated in the show.
One year, it was suggested that we offer an award that is selected and presented by local law enforcement personnel. Jeanette Swarts, Twin Lakes Cruisers member, approached Osage City Police Chief Fred Nech for a name for the award and he recommended “The Thin Blue Line Award”.
Unsure at that time of the significance of “Thin Blue Line”, he explained to her it represented the sacrifice law enforcement officers of the nation make each day. Police officers stand as a thin line that protects society from evil, chaos and disorder.
There are numerous ways to express the blue line and it was the choice of the group to include the American flag with the thin blue line. The blue is derived from the traditional color of police uniforms. A lot of municipal police still wear blue, and blue has long been associated with law enforcement throughout the history of modern policing. The black simply serves as a stark contrast for the blue.
This year, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Twin Lakes Cruisers’ Cruis’n and Cook’n Auto Show, the club had a “Thin Blue Line” flag made out of wood for the Osage City Police Department and the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, taking the opportunity to express appreciation, respect and thank them for their service to Osage City and the surrounding communities of Osage County. The award was presented posthumously on behalf of Twin Lakes Cruisers members Craig Ogleby and Joe Goetsinger.
Twin Lakes Cruisers members not pictured include Kelley and Blinda Bowin, Travis, Breckin and Braden Bowin, Bob Jackson, Blair, Amy and Emma Ogleby, Angie Jennings, Jennifer, Dustin, Colby and Gracie Hokanson, Joe Shafer, Greg Wright, Jim Peterson, Joe and Sharidy Goetsinger.
