PACE — Several law enforcement agencies nationwide have received harsh criticism. But in Santa Rosa County, lawmen got warm meals.
The Rotary Club of Pace recently showed appreciation for Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies who protect and serve their area.
Last week, Club President Anna Weaver and several of the rotary club members visited the SRSO Pace District 3 location on Pace Patriot Boulevard and delivered pizza and snacks to deputies on shift. Each deputy thanked the club for their generosity.
“Right now, there is so much going on in the news and we are hearing about a lot of people not showing them respect,” Weaver said. “We feel they deserve this for doing things that we are not willing to do … We couldn’t think of any other way (of showing support) than food.”
Lt. Todd Smith, who oversees the sheriff’s office District 3, expressed gratitude for the deliveries.
“We appreciate them for doing that,” Smith said. “It is a nice gesture for them to make.”
Rotary members also delivered food to first responders of the Pace Fire Rescue District.
Smith said there is a reason why the SRSO and other local law enforcement agencies have avoided the kinds of criticisms other areas have experienced.
“There has been a lot of negative publicity but in most cases, especially in our county, we have a lot of positive interaction with the people around here,” Smith said. “I can’t speak for other places, but just about all of us live in the community, and it is our home as well as where we work. So, we want the best for here.”
More meal deliveries will come, according to Weaver. The club plans to feed deputies each quarter.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Rotary Club delivers meals to law enforcement