Survey police officers, and they’ll tell you it can, at times, be a thankless job.
Drivers typically aren’t thrilled when they get pulled over for speeding. Fighting family members generally aren’t at their best when neighbors call to complain about the noise. And most criminal suspects would probably choose a root canal over a visit from a detective.
But every so often, somebody does something that reminds officers that their efforts to keep the community safe are appreciated.
In Fullerton, one such surprise came earlier this month, when about 50 elementary school-age children showed up without an appointment outside the police department.
The kids waved giant signs that said “thank you.” Some of the signs had hearts on them. One said, “We love you.”
They also brought a stack of thank you cards.
Savannah, 8, wrote: “If we didn’t have you burglars would be everywhere.”
“Thank you for keeping crime away from our neighborhood,” wrote Kevin, 8.
Police Chief Dan Hughes and Sgt. Jeff Stuart stopped what they were doing to see what the commotion was about. Hughes spent a good amount of time chatting with the children, who came from the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA. Stuart snapped photos.
Later, the police executives took the letters and posters up to the department’s executive offices. They plan to display them throughout the police department.
“It was a really nice surprise and morale boost,” Hughes said.
It wasn’t the only time in the past month officers received positive feedback.
Officials from the Special Olympics of Orange County expressed gratitude after the police department raised $4,000 to support the athletes during its annual Tip-A-Cop event. The police department netted more than triple the take from last year. The event was at Hero’s Bar and Grill.
And just last week, the staff of the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton served police officers and other Fullerton employees tri-tip, mashed potatoes and cheesecake for dessert.
On a flyer, the church encouraged them to “enjoy the thanks and appreciation of the staff.”
Stuart was among those who said he enjoyed the experience.
“It is just another example of the great people we have that live, work and worship in our community,” he said.
This story was published in the Orange County Register.
