By Police1 Staff
WASHINGTON — Officers and their families - nearly 400 people in all - showed up to Shirley Gibson’s home for an early holiday dinner Wednesday.
Gibson and her husband, Harrison, have been serving dinner for 20 years in memory of their son Brian, NBC News reported. Officer Brian Gibson was killed in a 1997 ambush while sitting in his patrol car at a traffic light. He was only 27.
She struggled with a way to get through the holidays after Brian died. She decided the best way to honor him was to cook his favorite dishes and feed his brothers and sisters in blue.
“This is Christmas for me. This is what makes us happy,” she told the news station.
Officers said it’s a way to kick off the season and honor a fallen brother.
“She has dedicated her life since the loss of her son to helping other families who have lost their sons in law enforcement,” Washington interim police Chief Peter Newsham said.