By Cornelia Seigneur
During a good-bye party at Pastor Dale and Linda Ebel’s for a Bible study member who is leaving for Germany with her family, I met a gentleman who said he had been reading my story of the Police/Red and Black situation, and told me that it inspired him to a particular action: When he was at a Subway getting lunch, a police officer walked in to also order a sandwich; and, as a small token of gratitude for the work that police do, this gentleman decided to purchase the police officer his lunch.
When I later told my husband about what this gentleman shared with me, my husband suggested I begin collecting these tales of acts of gratitude and kindness toward police as part of the Blue Ribbon Campaign that we launched on Facebook http://www.corneliaseigneur.com/blue-ribbon-campaign-police-deserve-a-cup-of-coffee-facebook-page/
Since my original blog post story “Where’s a Police Officer to Get a Cup of Coffee?” http://www.corneliaseigneur.com/where%e2%80%99s-a-portland-police-officer-to-get-a-cup-of-coffee/ appeared, people have e-mailed me their stories of how they have thanked police officers, many by purchasing a cup of coffee for an officer. And police officers have shared with me that random people have come up to them and handed them Starbucks gift cards to get that cup of coffee. They have also received thank you notes.
With today’s sad news of the Monday shooting death in North Portland of 17-year-old Billy Moore (who was not involved in a gang) http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/06/billy_moores_family_absorbs_do.html where police have in custody the alleged perpetrator of the crime, we are once again reminded of how police are such a vital part of our society. Though it is still under investivation whether the shooting of Billy Moore was gang related, it is clear that gang-related crime has increased in Portland, which makes the job of the Portland Police Force that much more difficult. It is their job, and they put their lives on the line daily as they investigate crime and work to keep our communities safe; perhaps we can once in a while make it our job to thank them for that hard work.
So, that is what I am offering in this space. A place to collect words, to gather stories, to hear tales of how people have appreciated the work that police do. I have tried to turn the focus of my original post in a positive direction, which is what the Blue Ribbon Facebook page was about. Along the same lines, the idea behind this post is to gather what I would like to call Blue Ribbon Stories, of how the police (who wear blue uniforms) have made a difference in your community. And perhaps what you have done to show gratitude to them in the past few weeks. Sent a card? Purchased a coffee? Thanked an officer personally? We’d like to hear your stories.
As the mother of an officer fatally shot in the line of duty in 2005, I was appalled to read of the discriminatory treatment of a Portland officer in the Red and Black Cafe. The sad fact is that no matter how lousy the attitude of that restaurant’s owners/staff, the police will Pcome to their aid if they need police help. Their protestations that in the event of trouble, the staff would call their friends for help is just plain silly. Like everyone else, they would dial 911 and a responding officer would show up, even if it meant risking his/her life. I have been steamed since reading of this encounter…no doubt these folks believe in karma and laws of attraction and so do I. We just probably have very different opinions of what would be just. Thank you for your support of the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement from a mom who understands all too well the sacrifice those serving their community make each time they pin on a badge and go to work to keep us safe.
Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD (CA), eow 4/24/05
You see, people and situations can change. Transformation happens! 🙂
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~John 8:32
When I first walked into a police department to drop off some cookies during the holiday season, the looks on their faces was of joy and complete surprise. They truly enjoy kindness from the public. I’m thankful to be able to bring them what desserts I can as a way to give something back to them for a change.
My daughters and I have made it a habit to bring in desserts during the holidays, Police Week in May and on the End of Watch of a Fallen Officer. We sometimes include a card thanking them. To make sure they have everything they need, we also buy paper plates, napkins, plastic spoons and forks and whatever else goes along with what we bring in. While it’s not necessary to bring those things all the time, it shows we put a lot of thought into it.
There are times we’ve seen an officer’s whole face light up at the thought that someone from the community cared enough about them to bring something in. It can truly make an officer’s day.
Yesterday, June 22nd, I was enjoying tunes from the car radio while it was being filled at the local Chevron station. As I sat, an officer on a motorcycle pulled up to the pump on the opposite side of the concrete island within view of my rolled down window. I had been waiting for an opportunity such as this ever since the first “Red and Black” coffee incident had been posted. After letting the window down a little more, I stuck my head out. The officer still had his while domed helmet on, so I made sure he could hear me. Here’s how the conversation proceded:
“Excuse me, officer?”
“Yo”, he stated as he quickly turned his head. (Interesting response, I though)
“I’d buy you a cup of coffee anytime.”
He paused before responding, “Well, I appreciate it. Thanks for the consideration.”
“Anytime”, I said.
I felt good. And, I hope he did, too.