In Memory of Trainmen James Peabo Blue III

 BALTIMORE —

A street renaming ceremony was held Wednesday in honor of the slain husband of a Baltimore Police Lieutenant.  James Peabo Blue was sitting in his car on Jan. 25 outside a property he was rehabilitating on Walker Avenue in northeast Baltimore when someone shot him. He was waiting in his car for a refrigerator delivery.

Members of the Idlewood community, family and friends gathered at the corner of Walker Avenue and Loch Raven Boulevard on what would have been Blue's 44th birthday to celebrate his life and remember him.

"It's been 247 days since my son succumbed to gun violence," said Shelly Eford, Blue's mother. "This is a pain like no other, a pain that does not go away."

"Anybody that knew him knew that he had a personality larger than life. I just want to thank everyone for coming out and showing their support to the family," said Blue's wife, Lekeshia Pride.

Now, the corner will bear Blue's name with a new street sign that was unveiled with the release of balloons.  "We'll always feel that pain, but what's inspirational about the renaming (is) you're able to ride by and see his legacy continuing to live on. You see the Idlewood community come and say, 'Although we're hurting, we're ready to heal,'" said Shelonda Stokes, Blue's sister.

Written by: Barry Simms