Each May, National Police Week is observed to honor the courage and commitment of law enforcement across the country. Since 1962, it has been a time of remembrance and gratitude, but more than that, it calls for action. At Protos, we recognize that supporting law enforcement goes beyond just a week or month. It means investing in their well-being, standing beside them during hard times and ensuring their voices are heard.
This belief is deeply embedded in the story of Blue Star, which fulfills Protos’ Specialized Services division. Built by law enforcement professionals, the company was founded with the mission: to provide customized security solutions, executed to the highest possible standards, by the most qualified security agents, all while giving back to the community they once served firsthand.
True to that mission, Blue Star’s leadership co-founded with others, Bank the Blue, an independent nonprofit organization committed to law enforcement mental health and wellness across Illinois. Bank the Blue reflects the same values of advocacy and care that drives Blue Star’s culture.
In recognition of National Police Week, this article takes a closer look at how Blue Star’s roots in law enforcement, its impact within Protos’ Specialized Services division, and its ongoing commitment to mental health are all part of a larger mission to support the police in lasting ways.
From Local Roots to National Reach: The Story of Blue Star Security
Blue Star was founded in 2009 by Jeffrey Salvetti and Anthony Varchetto, both former police officers of the Chicago Police Department. Jeff served for 15 years and Anthony for 20 years. They met while working together on a tactical force and became friends.
While working in the police department, Jeff and Anthony took on off-duty security work. At the time, there was a lack of structure around these opportunities without many agencies coordinating these jobs. Recognizing the need, Jeff, Anthony, and a few colleagues took the initiative to build direct relationships with businesses in need of off-duty law enforcement. Gradually, they and about 15 other officers rotated through these assignments to meet growing demand.
A turning point came when a construction company they were supporting offered them a formal contract. This opportunity set the founding of Blue Star in motion, requiring Jeff and Anthony to both get necessary certifications and licensing. Notably, Blue Star retains that contract to this day.
When launching the company, Anthony and Jeffrey weren’t just starting a business, they were stepping into leadership roles that took ample amounts of time, planning and required them to reimagine what security could look like.
Jeff, with a background in business from DePaul University, took on the financial and administration operations, while Anthony focused on building relationships and securing clients. The two often describe themselves as the opposite signs of the same coin—Jeff leading internal systems and strategy, while Anthony excels in outward-facing initiatives and client engagement—complimenting each other well.
As with any business, the early stages brought plenty of challenges. Transitioning from the public sector to entrepreneurship came with a learning curve—from navigating requirements to understanding certain taxes. But they were committed to doing things the right way.
With each phase of growth, new obstacles emerged: such as learning to delegate responsibilities and eventually stepping away from the day-to-day operations so the company could scale. That shift—from operators to leaders—was one of the most pivotal. It required them to pull away from what was familiar in order to build something bigger and truly impactful.
And their commitment paid off. Between 2016 and 2019, Blue Star experienced its most significant period of growth, expanding its client base, capabilities and reputation. That momentum eventually caught the attention of Protos Security.
In 2022, Blue Star joined Protos’ family of brands and soon became Protos Specialized Services Division, of which Jeffrey Salvetti is now the Vice President and Anthony Varchetto is President.
This not only afforded Blue Star an opportunity for their business but for their employees as well. For Jeff and Anthony, one of the most rewarding aspects of the acquisition was how well-aligned Protos was with their values, specifically the commitment to their people. Blue Star’s leadership recognized that Protos wasn’t looking to dismantle what they had built but rather strengthen and scale it. The goal was and is to grow together.
Joining Protos also allowed the Blue Star team more opportunities for long-term career growth and stability, with access to expanded resources and new roles within a larger organization. A key achievement since joining Protos has been the ability to replicate their Chicago-based model across the country, delivering the same level of care, expertise and professionalism on a national scale.
Protecting Those Who Protect Us: The Story Behind Bank the Blue
Because of their time in the police department and their continued work alongside active and retired law enforcement professionals, it was clear just how deeply the job can affect an officer’s mental health. Jeff and Anthony saw firsthand the toll that long hours and high-stress situations could take, and they knew more needed to be done to support law enforcement beyond what departmental resources could offer.
In 2020, Jeffrey and Anthony, along with three others, founded Bank the Blue, a nonprofit organization that provides confidential, no-cost mental health resources to law enforcement across Illinois with the mission to end the stigma surrounding mental health and make resources available when it’s needed most.
Bank the Blue currently works with 20 licensed professionals to eliminate the wait. This gives law enforcement immediate access to care outside the structure of their department, which was something Jeff and Anthony saw as vital. While police departments may offer internal resources, these are often limited by excessive waiting periods, no availability and a lack of confidentiality. In one case, supervisor permission was required to even access departmental resources, which only highlighted the need for an independent and responsive resource.
Giving back to the community has always been important to Jeff and Anthony but they wanted to make best use of their resources and a meaningful impact. Supporting the mental health of law enforcement professionals was a cause close to their hearts.
And the need is there. According to a Department of Justice report, the Chicago Police Department’s suicide rate was 60% higher than the national average, peaking in 2019. Tragically, Jeff and Anthony have known officers who took their own lives. “You never know what someone’s going through. One day they’re laughing with you,” they recalled, “and the next they’re gone.”
Today, with constant media coverage adding more stress to the job, these mental health resources are more important than ever. Bank the Blue offers a safe, stigma-free path to healing and continues to grow with the goal of reaching as many officers as possible.
Honoring Law Enforcement with Purpose
Honoring law enforcement goes beyond memorials and ceremonies, it’s taking meaningful steps to support both on and off-duty personnel. Whether through Police Week activities or year-round efforts, it’s about building a stronger and safer future together.
From their time in the police department to founding Blue Star and co-founding Bank the Blue, Jeffrey and Anthony have made it their mission to stand behind law enforcement professionals in meaningful ways. Today, this mission continues through Protos’ Specialized Services division, where their leadership helps deliver high-standard tailorized security services across the country.
By supporting strong causes, like Bank the Blue, and offering specialized services backed by active and retired law enforcement with real experience, we proudly support law enforcement—not just during National Police Week, but every day of the year.
Protos’ Specialized Services
At Protos, we understand that a standard approach to security challenges doesn’t work in every situation. That’s where Protos’ Specialized Services comes in. Designed to meet unique security needs, this division delivers customizable approaches backed by precision, flexibility and experience. Protos’ Specialized Services division is proudly fulfilled by Blue Star, a trusted provider of active and retired law enforcement in the Chicago area and across all sectors. Backed by a decade of expertise and commitment to security excellence, Blue Star continues to set the standard in protective services.
Learn More or Get Involved
Want to dive deeper into the work behind Protos Specialized Services, Blue Star, or Bank the Blue? Explore the links below to learn more, get in touch or support the mission:
- Protos Specialized Services – Learn how we deliver tailored, high-level security solutions.
- Blue Star – Meet the team behind our Specialized Services Division.
- Bank the Blue – Support mental health resources for Illinois law enforcement.
