Attorney General James Uthmeier of Florida presented the Back the Blue Award to Kirsten Bridegan in recognition of her significant contributions to supporting law enforcement and her community. The award was given in honor of her exceptional efforts through the Bridegan Foundation.
"By turning tragedy into a source of compassion, Kirsten Bridegan is making a lasting impact on law enforcement and our communities," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "I’m honored to present a Back the Blue Award to Kirsten for her efforts to help others with the Bexley Boxes program, where essential childcare items are provided to Florida law enforcement officers to help them comfort children who find themselves in traumatic situations."
The initiative began after Kirsten's daughter, Bexley, experienced significant trauma in 2022 when she witnessed the murder of her father, Jared Bridegan. Law enforcement officials tried to comfort Bexley at the police station, but they lacked sufficient supplies.
In response, Kirsten Bridegan established the Bridegan Foundation and the Bexley Boxes program, which supplies childcare items such as blankets, diapers, and snacks to law enforcement offices. These boxes have been distributed to various agencies in Florida and 11 other states.
The Back the Blue Award honors both law enforcement personnel who exceed expectations in their roles and community members who provide extraordinary support to those in uniform.