January 9 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day — a day when the community can pay their respects to the officers who keep them safe.
People across the country found a variety of ways to show their appreciation for law enforcement on this year’s National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
In Molino, for instance, the local fire station decided to deliver donuts to their police neighbors at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in a fire truck.
In Pasco, Washington, Sergeant Thomas Groom said having a day to be appreciated was heart-warming.
“My entire career has been service-oriented,” Groom told KEPR. “I spent eight years in the Marine Corp prior to this. It is extremely heartwarming to know that we are appreciated, and I’ll tell you here in Pasco, we pretty much feel that every day. Our community is very supportive of the work we do and the assistance that we can provide, but it is nice to have a day set aside.”
In Sheridan, CO., kids playing next to the police apartment acknowledged officers by inviting them to go sledding.
Officer Bruce Williams took a ride down the slope next to the station in full uniform. Sheridan Chief Jeff Martinez said he encourages his officers to engage with the community in a positive way.
Illinois Congresswoman Marie Newman also took the day to honor law enforcement by handing out certificates of special recognition to officers from more than thirty police departments in the Chicago area. The assembly then took a moment of silence to remember the officers who sacrificed their lives this year.
In Temple, Texas, a local elementary school organized an event to show their appreciation for law enforcement.
Raye-Allen Elementary School students presented Temple police officers with treat baskets they individually prepared.
“In today’s world, they don’t get a lot of recognition,” Raye-Allen Elementary principal Kasey Blomquist said. Blomquist hoped to turn that around.
“HUGE shoutout to the Temple Police Department for showing up and talking to our students at Raye-Allen Elementary School! We are very thankful to have each and every one of our officers serve the community of City of Temple, Texas,” the school posted on their Facebook page.
In Marshall, Michigan, five officers from the Marshall Police Department and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department were awarded State Tributes signed by the governor and state lawmakers to recognize their service.
“We know what a tough job these officers have, and there are so many that go above and beyond every single day,” Rep. Matt Hall said. “We wanted to recognize a few, really as a tribute to all of our local police officers.”
Meanwhile, in California, Santa Clarita Congressman Mike Garcia organized volunteers to deliver breakfast burritos to the SC Valley Sheriff’s Station and the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station to show his support for local law enforcement.
“We’re out here to do the right thing; it’s the little things that matter to show appreciation,” Garcia told KHTS, referencing the tough year the profession has had. “It’s a tough environment for law enforcement to be operating in right now. Two years of a pandemic, lots of them working overtime and facing defunding the police movements.”
