A father's Tye Bands are worn in memory of his son, a police officer killed in the line of duty.
His son's death hasn't been in vain.
That's what keeps Michael Pratt Sr. going. And that's why he spends at least four days a week asking businesses to sponsor Tye Bands.
The bands honor Pratt's son, Jason Tye Pratt, an Omaha police officer who was shot and killed during a September 2003 foot chase.
Lincoln police officers and firefighters were presented with more than 30 of the wrist bands Wednesday night at the Lincoln Firefighters Hall. More are coming, Pratt promised.
"They strap on a badge, and they don't know if they're coming home at night," he said. "As long as there's breath in me, I'll get one for every one of you guys."
The bands don't honor only Pratt's son. They honor all police officers and firefighters - "standing and fallen," he said.
Lincoln is just one stop for Pratt, who has found businesses to sponsor thousands of the bands for police officers, sheriff's deputies and firefighters across the state. He's beginning to get requests nationwide.
"It's kind of taken a life of its own," Pratt said.
The bands are personalized for each police and fire department - emblazoned with the department's badge, patch or shield, the sponsor's logo and two inscriptions: "In honor of Ofc. Tye Pratt & all police officers both standing and fallen"; and, "Thank you for your courage."
Money from the sponsors funds a scholarship for the Boys and Girls Club of Omaha and the Ofc. Tye Pratt Law Enforcement Fund, which pays for body armor and other equipment for rural Nebraska law enforcement officers.
John Deere sponsored the Lincoln police bands.
"It's an honor," said David Engler, president of the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters. "It's great that they're doing this to remember Tye and all the other public service officers."
Said Pratt: "It's a win-win situation. My payoff is my son's name is on every one."
Pratt remembers vividly his son's last words.
"He asked me, 'Are you going to remember me?'" said Pratt, who still fights back tears when he talks about the night he last saw Tye alive.
"After he died, I was determined he wasn't going to die in vain."
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