Florence police officers celebrated at Forest Hills for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

^{(Photo: Tatyana Stewart)}

FLORENCE, Ala. — The Forest Hills Elementary School Peer Helpers held a special celebration for Florence police officers on Friday morning. The Peer Helpers and school counselors continued the tradition of recognizing the officers on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

"Each year, we try to celebrate our officers for all that they do for us," counselor Kimberly Tittle said. "It started a few years ago with our younger students—our Falcon Friends—and they've all become Peer Helpers."

The students surprised the officers with donuts, which the officers called "energy biscuits." The officers also received a gift and were shown a video presentation.

Tittle added that including the Peer Helpers also allowed older students to participate in the annual service event.

She explained that the true motivation for the event was the love for all of the officers and that it allows students to have a positive interaction with them.

"They're so good to us, and it gives our kids the opportunity to meet the police officers, because you don't always see that positive interaction," she added. "Any chance we get to talk with them and have the kids meet with them and see that they're amazing humans and they're here to help them, it's always a good thing." 

"I feel great that we're doing this to just show our appreciation for the hard work they do protecting our city," 4th grader Kora Sheppard said.

"Feeding them—giving them a place to rest before they get back to work and just saying simple things like, 'thank you for your service,' and being kind to them," 6th grader Carlos Berrios said.

Tittle said the key takeaway from the event was to let students know that officers are there to help, as one student explained in the video presentation.

"It's really building that bridge of, 'hey, these are good guys, and I can go to them if I'm scared,'" Tittle said. "I just think it helps the kids to see that these people are true heroes. They put their life on the line every day, so it's really helpful."

Following Friday's celebration, Florence City Schools will honor its Florence Police Department presence on National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day in February.

By Carson Brooks