Community unites to show support on ‘Thank A Police Officer Day’ in Rockwall, Heath

(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – September 19, 2015) Folks and businesses from all around the community coordinated together to show their tremendous appreciation for local law enforcement during National Thank a Police Officer Day on Saturday, Sept. 19.

To honor local officers for the sacrifices they’ve made to keep Rockwall County safe, Rockwall resident Andrea Burrow and her friend Bradlie Anne Wood of Heath – owner of Love, Betty Lou Boutique and McKale William Event Coordinators – synchronized efforts to create and deliver handmade thank you cards to both the Rockwall Police and Heath Police departments. Bradlie was also assisted by her mom, Bobbie Shield, who works at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall and owns Bobbie’s Junk to Jewels in Heath.

“I see what these officers are going through, being scrutinized and all the violence on police, so I wanted to do something to show that we appreciate our officers,” Andrea said. “It’s an honor to get to do this for these officers. I’ve lived in Rockwall my whole life, so these officers have always helped me.”

Andrea and Bradlie received a ton of support from local businesses and friends for their idea to show appreciation for local officers. Below is a list of all the donors from around the community who pitched in on the effort to thank our law enforcement:

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall – $1000 for Rockwall and Heath to split

Starbucks – 90 cups of coffee

Pizza Cucina – $25 of free food

Texas Traditions – $100 to Rockwall Police Association

Donut Station #1, Donut Palace, Rockwall Donuts and Hawk Donuts – donuts for the officers

Lakeside Florist – a beautiful fall bouquet to each department

Rockwall Yellowjackets Barbershop – 10 free haircuts for officers

Hays Elementary and ROCK program – thank you cards for officers

Body Enhancement Day Spa and owner Wendy Carson – 120 massages for officers

Milano’s Pizza – Free lunch for Heath DPS

Arboleda’s in Heath – donated to Heath

Heath Salon & Spa – donated to Heath

Citizens Melanie Locke, Jerry Smith, Lara Longeway, Rebecca Novacovich Gray and the RHEC PTA also donated $135 total which was used to purchase $10 Subway and Chick-fil-A gift cards for the officers as well as a basket to present all the donated thank you cards in. Roofwork Construction pitched in to help get Starbucks gift cards as well.  Mr. and Mrs. Teel, Mr. and Mrs. Horton, and Tommy Coply also donated to the cause.

Andrea said the support from the community helped in getting the message across that Rockwall’s citizens really value their officers and all they do to protect residents.

“It feels really good to know that the community stands behind the police,” she said.

Story and main photo by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer. Heath photos courtesy of  Bradlie Anne Wood.

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