The Interstate 35W bridge across the Mississippi River will glow blue for 11 days until Jacob Wetterling's remains are laid to rest.

Beginning Thursday evening, the bridge will be cast in blue light to memorialize the 11-year-old who was abducted at gunpoint by a masked man on Oct. 22, 1989, near his home in St. Joseph, Minn.

Gov. Mark Dayton on Wednesday ordered the gesture in solidarity with the #11forJacob movement. Across the state, the No. 11 — Jacob's jersey number — is being displayed on people's faces, arms, uniforms and athletic shoes to honor Jacob, whose family wants him remembered for the way he lived.

Tens of thousands of people, from kids to professional athletes, have embraced the idea.

The blue lights represent child abuse prevention.

After nearly 27 years of cold leads and dead ends, Danny Heinrich confessed last week in federal court to abducting, sexually assaulting and killing Jacob. Heinrich will spend at least 20 years in prison for an unrelated child pornography charge.

Before his courtroom confession, Heinrich led authorities to the field in Paynesville, Minn., where Jacob's remains were recovered. Jacob's memorial service will be held Sept. 25.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648