A symbol of honor upheld by law enforcement, The Thin Blue Line originated in the United Kingdom but quickly grew to prominence in the United States and Canada.

The Thin Blue Line commemorates the fallen and shows support for the living law enforcement officers, acting as a symbol of the relationship between officers and the community they serve and protect.

Each stripe on The Thin Blue Line emblem represents a specific figure or element: the blue center line signifies law enforcement, the top black stripe represents the public or community, and the bottom black stripe represents the criminal forces that hold the peace in a perpetually precarious balance.

The Thin Blue Line is a symbol of law enforcement being all that stands between the criminal and the victim, a reminder of the responsibility and higher code of ethics each officer owes his or her community. To wear The Thin Blue Line is to uphold a similar stance in life, whether or not you’re a member of law enforcement.

It is a promise to protect the innocent and hold abusers to their rightful judgement, to never forget the line you yourself must walk between right and wrong, and the choice made daily to choose good over evil.

1. The Thin Blue Line and American Flag Tattoos

It’s no surprise to see the stars and stripes dominating thin blue line tattoo choices. After all you don’t take an oath to protect and serve if you don’t love your country. The American Flag stands for everything that makes American great. Liberty, equality, justice. And all great democratic values that enable society to function are held up by (you guessed it) The Thin Blue Line. American flag thin blue line tattoos intertwine perfectly. They both represent a willingness to sacrifice anything for something bigger. The willingness to die for a cause.