There was birthday cake at Bridgeport Police Department today and it was your votes that enabled that to happen.

 

The occasion was the ninth anniversary of Wives Behind the Badge, a volunteer organization that supports police departments throughout the nation.

 

Director of Emergency Services Laura Pysz discovered the contest and Bridgeport nabbed first place in its geographic division.

 

“It was the power of social media,” Pysz said. “Everyone shared the post and we ended up in first place.”

 

Through the contest, the organization honored three departments on the East Coast, West Coast and Midwest.

 

On the East Coast, Bridgeport shared the honor with police departments in Florida and New Jersey.

 

Wives Behind the Badge members Melissa Matheny and Barbara Hartley presented the cake to members of Bridgeport Police Department. Matheny is the wife of Stonewood Police Chief Robert Matheny and Hartley is the wife of Bridgeport Deputy Police Chief Randy Hartley.

 

The cake was a nice way to celebrate the continuing good work of Bridgeport PD, but also an ideal tool to bring awareness to Wives Behind the Badge and its purpose, the women said.

 

Hartley is excited to be the area’s newest member of the organization.

 

“I worked in law enforcement 24 years and Randy started in 9/11 and has worked all the way through since then,” she said. “I didn’t know about the program until Melissa showed me the information and I knew I wanted to be involved. I’m excited to be a part of this and Melissa has a lot of ideas. We hope to get more people in Harrison County involved.”

 

Hartley said she hopes and prays that there is never a tragedy involving one of our local members of law enforcement.

 

“But if it should happen, we’re here to support those families,” she said.

 

Matheny pointed out that the group is also in place so law enforcement families can assist each other during day-to-day struggles.

 

“It’s just having that support system here on a local level. That’s huge,” she said. “We have it on a national level, but it’s important to have that here locally too.”

 

Many do not realize, Matheny said, that when police officers are on duty, so are their wives.

 

“We’re waiting on that phone call, waiting for that knock on the door when they leave the house every day,” she said. “We’re waiting on them for holiday dinners to start.”

 

In a case when the wife of a police officer is simply having a bad day and is torn in many different directions, she can place a call to someone on the network and receives assistance, perhaps physical or perhaps just emotional support, Matheny said.

 

“You’ll hear ‘What can I do?’ or ‘What do you want for dinner?’ Sharing that burden with each other is so important,” she said.

 

While presenting the cake to members of Bridgeport Police Department, Matheny said Wives Behind the Badge is truly a support group for wives, families and the men and women who work everyday sacrificing themselves for the safety of their communities. Programs organized through the group include Canine Programs and Blue Line Kids Programs, as well as new local programs to involve more members.

 

“We’re working on a couple events in the coming weeks and months that we’re really excited about,” she said. “Enjoy the cake – and Happy Birthday to Wives Behind the Badge.”

 

Those interested in become active in Wives Behind the Badge can contact Matheny or Hartley through Bridgeport Police Department 304-842-8260.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured are Matheny and Hartley, along with Bridgeport Police Deputy Chief Randy Hartley and various law enforcement officers and office staff of Bridgeport Police Department.