Wheeling police wearing pink patches to increase breast cancer awareness

If you've been pulled over by a Wheeling police officer this month - or just encountered one in the community - you may have noticed an unusual splash of color added to the uniform.

All month, Wheeling's patrol officers are wearing pink shoulder patches to raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer.

The patches also honor police officers, family members and community members who have had cancer.

The patches can be purchased by civilians from the Wheeling Police Unity Foundation. They're $10, and proceeds benefit Northwest Community Hospital's Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.

To get a patch, call Officer Laura Joschko at (847) 459-2644 or visit wheelingpoliceunityfoundation.square.site.

The pink patch is one of two specialty patches Wheeling police wear each year.

Each April, officers don a patch designed to increase autism awareness and bring attention to the department's Return Home Safe program. That voluntary program is designed to identify and safely return community members with special needs who unexpectedly disappear.

About 40 residents are signed up for the program.