Multiple Putnam County organizations came together to honor local law enforcement officers Tuesday.
Law enforcement officers attended a luncheon at Wexford Village at Devonshire with catered food and gift bags made by children in the apartment complex.
The Putnam County Rotary, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Crede Lawn Service, Wexford Village at Devonshire and Bellaire at Devonshire joined together to host the event.
Dave Allen, president of the Putnam County Rotary, said the event was slightly improvised. He came up with the idea shortly after the police officers in Dallas were killed, and ran it by the Rotary.
At the beginning of the luncheon one of the members held up a phone with an American flag image to say the pledge of allegiance - another part of the improvisation.
Allen thanked the officers for serving the Putnam County community.
"Most of us, when you kiss your wife and kids in the morning we don't take into consideration that may be the last time you see them," Allen said. "You live this every day."
Putnam County Sheriff Steve DeWeese said he was grateful for the community's support, especially in times where law enforcement has been treated negatively.
"It's really nice to know you have community support for law enforcement," DeWeese said.
He was especially impressed with the turnout of law enforcement officers at the luncheon. DeWeese said while officers are always appreciative of an event like this, it's sometimes hard for officers to attend because they don't feel they deserve special recognition.
"Most don't want to attend because they feel it's just their job," DeWeese said. "They don't want the attention."
Heather Harrison, a deputy with the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, attended the luncheon with her two young daughters, her husband and father - who is also a law enforcement officer.
Harrison said she enjoyed being able to interact with community members and be seen as more than a law enforcement officer.
"With events like this, it's good for people to see us as a person, with our family, as real people," Harrison said.
Lately Harrison said she's been stopped by community members expressing gratitude for law enforcement.
"All of us are very appreciative of community support," Harrison said. "We don't take it for granted."
The apartment community especially likes leasing to law enforcement officers, said Property Manager Mara Judd. All officers get 10 percent off a regular lease, she said.
"It' a way to say thank you - they do so much for all of us," Judd said. "They're always here for us."
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.