Back the Blue rally held in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs residents gathered outside First Baptist Church on Saturday, September 19, to show support for Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs). Supporters waved to motorists passing by and thank you signs were posted in the parking lot. The rally was organized by Hays County Back the Blue. “[It’s] our local expression of a national movement,” Kelly Puryear said, Co-Organizer and wife of a Hays County Deputy. "Back the Blue is an ACT for America campaign focused on rallying local community support for our law enforcement officers who have recently come under attack. We want to show them that we appreciate all they do to defend our residents, and honor their sacrifices for our safety.”

Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler attended the rally. “This [event] had a tremendous turnout and tremendous support by the show of people honking and waving. It’s very exciting. We thank the citizens of Hays County for supporting us and backing the blue,” he said.

Like Cutler, Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hood also expressed appreciation for the event. “It is awesome. We live in the greatest community in all of Hays County. We have a great county. We have a great state and the support that we’re getting from our community has just been outstanding and we appreciate it so much,” Hood said.

The rally in Dripping Springs was one of several held in Hays County to date. Puryear said it’s important for the group to hold such events to show opposition to ‘defunding the police.’

“We are supporting our LEO's by speaking out to fully fund them with our tax dollars so that our LEO's have everything they need to do their jobs. It’s very important that our County and State representatives know Hays County will not tolerate lawlessness or taking away funds from our LEO's,” Puryear said. “Our Back the Blue efforts have nothing to do with skin color and everything to do with freedom and safety for all residents.”