Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Fredericksburg Cops Go 'Code Pink'

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — It's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Frederickburg police department is conducting what it calls a "Code Pink" operation. Namely, in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness, some of its officers, one of its vehicles and even a K-9 dog will be adorned in pink during the month.

Citing statistics from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the department says more than 252,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year, and more than 40,500 die from it. "One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime," police chief David Nye said in a release. "That’s alarming. As a husband and father to three daughters, I can’t stress enough how important it is to educate and encourage early detection of breast cancer. I am proud of the women and men in my Department who are helping to raise awareness for this crusade."

One officer, Joe Young, will wear a blaze pink camouflage uniform all month. He wants people to take his picture while he's on foot patrol along the riverbanks and post it to the department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. For every photo submitted, he will donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. Also, like us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Also, with funds donated by Mary Washington Healthcare, a police cruiser has been converted into a "breast cancer awareness vehicle," 37 officers have pink badges and Loki the K-9 will has a pink medallion hanging from his collar. Click here for more information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Photos: Fredericksburg Police