The wife of a Starkville Police Officer is taking steps to make sure officers know just how much they are appreciated.
Ashley Nelson, the wife of SPD officer Derek Nelson, is organizing a local version of National Thank a Police Officer Day in Starkville.
Originating in Chicago and part of the Whole Truth Project, the first National Thank a Police Officer Day is set for Saturday.
Ashley Nelson said she didn’t understand the dangers officers faced every day when they put on their badge and went to work. That all changed when she married her husband. They have three children.
“Now that I’m married to an officer I see that they’re brothers and sisters in uniform,” she said. “They put their life on the line everyday, and they do it for people who don’t appreciate them.”
Nelson contacted local business owners and encouraged them to show their support for officers by donating their services.
Kelly Boutwell, manager of Restaurant Tyler, said she was more than happy to help.
“We’re a tight knit community, and we’re close to a lot of cops in town,” Boutwell said. “Restaurant Tyler is right behind the police department, and we see them everyday. We just want to pass along a ‘thank you.'”
On Saturday, Restaurant Tyler and Zorba’s will be providing lunch to the officers at the police department. Bin 612/Rock Bottom Restaurant will be serving the officers dinner — all at no cost.
Stromboli’s restaurant is also giving away free cookie dough bites with the purchase of any meal by law enforcement personnel.
Nelson said this is a cause that is important to her because she thinks “cops get a bad rap.” She added that seeing the dangers her husband and his fellow officers face has made her that much more grateful for the job they do.
“They’re our soldiers here in America,” she said. “They deserve a ‘thank you.”’
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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