Group creating “Wall” to honor fallen UCCS police officer Garrett Swasey

A group in Colorado Springs is gathering Friday to honor fallen UCCS police Officer Garrett Swasey.

Thousands are expected to attend Swasey’s service on Friday. Extra security is expected because Westboro Baptist Church is threatening to protest the funeral.

One local group plans to stop the protests with their Facebook page ‘Officer Garrett Swasey: The Wall.’

“I started the page originally because I wanted to make sure as a community we’re here to represent Colorado Springs and support Officer Swasey,” said Candice Despy.

Despy started the Facebook page. She’s never met Swasey, but wanted to help.

“I have quite a few friends in law enforcement and felt it was something I needed to do,” said Despy.

Organizers with Westboro Baptist Church say they’ll protest the service because they believe abortion is murder. To prevent that, the Facebook group plans on forming a human wall.

“The idea behind the wall is the color blue is represented of law enforcement and were all going to wear blue in some way and be a blue wall around the venue,” said Ryan S.

The wall will act as a physical shield but also a way of showing support.

“You see memorials all the time that are walls of support for people. That’s the idea behind this, a wall of support, when people are leaving or entering the funeral they can see that,” said Anali Siegle.

The page was created on Sunday and already more than 1,000 people are interested in attending.

“Our whole goal here is to come together as a community and make this a community effort. We want to focus on supporting and honoring Officer Swasey and his family,” said Ryan.

The group is meeting at New Life Church Friday afternoon. For more information you can look at their Facebook page.