Friday night, 8-year-old Rosalyn Baldwin visited the Hammond Police Department and did what she does best: offered hope, inspiration, and solidarity through hugs. Baldwin’s mission to visit each state in the U.S., landed her in Hammond after she saw the name on a map of Indiana, Lieutenant Steve Kellogg said. He shared that Baldwin’s mother, Angie, told her to pick a city in Indiana to visit, and since Baldwin hails from a town with the same name in Louisiana, it was no contest.
“She sought us out and wanted to come here. That is a genuine show of love and appreciation,” said John Doughty, Chief of Hammond Police. “She came here and hugged everybody and just shared love with us and just reassured us that people out there, no matter where they are, they care about us and they’re thinking about us. It makes us feel reassured that we’re doing the right thing and doing our job well.”
Baldwin chose to visit during National Police Week, a very somber time for the officers. Lt. Kellogg shared how much it means to the Hammond Police Department to have Baldwin visit them during this time.
“We have just an incredible amount of mourning that goes on during this week. ” Kellogg said. “This is just a ray of sunshine in our week. It means a lot, it gives us hope. Her mission is to get communities working together with the police departments and she’s really helping us do that.”
Baldwin prepared a speech for the event, expressing her appreciation and offering remembrance for officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. She also shared that she was wearing a band with the numbers 5110, the same numbers that 25-year-old Officer Weathers of Detroit, Michigan wore on his badge before he passed in February. In her speech, Baldwin conveyed her passion for hugging officers.
“I find my joy knowing he is with God. When I wear this band, I feel I have another angel watching over me.” Baldwin said. “I believe in unity of our great country. I believe in our nation. I believe there is a brighter day. I believe that love will make a difference. My love, your love, God’s love, will ignite our country. Love can break any hurt, any pain. Love can break any chain.”
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, though he could not make it personally, honored the fallen officers remembered during this week in a heartfelt letter.
“Let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice these extraordinary individuals have made so that we may be safe,” Donnelly wrote. “These officers live in our hearts and in those here today, and we continue to honor them through our service.”
Baldwin is only a little more than halfway through her journey across the states, with Indiana being number 30. As for where she’s headed next? You won’t hear it from her.
“It’s a secret,” she exclaimed. Learn more about Rosalyn and her journey at rosalynloves.com.
