CANFIELD — A simple glance at Ray “Showdawg” Prisby’s orange 2004 Chevrolet Corvette provides all the evidence one needs to conclude that he’s an ardent Cleveland Browns fan and supporter.

Perhaps in equal amounts, the U.S. Air Force veteran also backs the efforts of law enforcement.

“I’ve gone to a lot of events to support police officers, and anything for veterans and kids,” Prisby, of Youngstown, said.

Prisby, who donned a No. 32 Browns jersey — the same number that legendary running back Jim Brown wore — and complementary dog bone, amply displayed a high level of such support via being in a judged car show that was part of Saturday’s fourth annual Back the Blue Ohio gathering on and near the Canfield Green.

The five-hour event, which also featured food vendors, a craft show and live music, was to recognize and honor police officers for the service and sacrifices they make to keep communities safe. In addition, the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, made up of former and current officers, conducted a bike run from The Manor in Austintown to the Green.

The gathering was free, but donations went to the Children of Fallen Officers organization.

Prisby, who served with the Air Force’s security police, recalled that Brown had nominated him to the Ford Hall of Fans at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton as a “superfan.” He also was one of 12 fans nationwide to have such an honor bestowed upon him, Prisby continued.

Erasing any doubt about Prisby’s loyalty to the team was his Corvette, under the hood of which was a depiction of Mount Rushmore he designed that, instead of the heads of presidents, bore the likenesses of former Browns players Otto Graham, Brown, Lou Groza, Ozzie Newsome and Joe Thomas. Also, the trunk was filled with trading cards of players from — you guessed it — the Browns.

The event’s guest speaker was police Chief Jay McDonald of the Marion Police Department, who reminded attendees of the numerous sacrifices men and women who wear the badge make on behalf of the communities they serve.

Most of them exercise great nobility to protect others while sometimes intentionally placing themselves in situations that pose a danger to themselves. Two high-profile examples are the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in which 72 police officers and 343 firefighters were killed at the World Trade Center complex, as well as when Micah X. Johnson targeted then ambushed and killed five Dallas officers July 7, 2016.

“It was the greatest rescue operation ever seen in America,” McDonald said about 9/11.

Nevertheless, everyday aspects of enforcing the law, such as traffic stops, can be risky or deadly for officers, Johnson noted.

Since the first known officer was killed in the line of duty in 1786 in Virginia, 23,872 of them — including 910 from Ohio — have lost their lives in that manner, he continued.

McDonald, who began his career with the department in 1994, added that the two most effective ways to address the retention problem in the profession are to give those who serve a respectable salary and pension, as well as show continued support for them.

“We expect them to put our safety over theirs. We expect our officers to run toward danger, not away,” Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova said.

As a society, it’s easy to take the sacrifices officers make daily for granted. Yet the profession is unique, in that it often calls for them to sacrifice their safety and time with family “to protect the rest of us,” she added.

DeGenova, who has worked about 20 years with law enforcement, said she’s grateful for how much officers do for the communities they serve.

Christine Oliver and her husband, Sam Oliver, who retired after having served 27 years with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, founded Back the Blue Ohio in 2020. The nonprofit organization raises funds for children of fallen officers and their families via giving the families checks of at least $2,000, with no restrictions on how the money can be spent, Christine Oliver noted.

“We can’t bring back their loved ones, but we want to do something to help them,” she said.

Oliver added that she hopes one day to set up a scholarship for a child who lost a police officer parent. Her organization also hosts a golf outing the Saturday before Father’s Day at Bedford Trails Golf Course near Lowellville, she continued.

Oliver also thanked the Young Financial Group of Canfield and Boardman-based Shirt Wizard for their support and contributions to the event.

Saturday’s Back the Blue Ohio also featured about 60 food, arts and crafts vendors, games and activities for children and basket 50-50 raffles. Providing the musical entertainment was The House Band.