Local law enforcement receives thank you gifts from the community

When was the last time you thanked a member of law enforcement?

For officers in Bannock County, that’s exactly what the community has been doing – thanking them.

Local law enforcement agencies said that since the Dallas shooting, there has been a huge outpouring of support from the community.

“We stand with you,” “We support you,” We honor you.”

Those are just a few lines from a thank you letter Chubbuck police received from a family in the community.

Lieutenant Bill Giuberson said the letter was very heartfelt and meant so much to his officers.

And the Chubbuck Police Department has received more thank yous than just one letter.

“We’ve had some local businesses bring in some goodies and stuff,” Giuberson said. “We’ve also had kids bring in little drawings that they did with crayons.”

It’s not just Chubbuck police that have seen gestures of appreciation. Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said both he and his officers have seen their own forms of a thank you.

He said that recently some of his officers were working security at a concert and several people came up to them to thank them for what they do. He said other officers have told him about people buying their coffee for them. Nielsen himself has even experienced it firsthand.

“I was at a restaurant, don’t even know who did it, but the waitress said, ‘Your coke was just purchased by this particular person,'” Nielsen said. “I had an opportunity to have somebody in the parking lot who I didn’t know by name, who knew me, just come up and give me a hug.”

Pocatello police are no exception. Officers said they too have gotten symbols of gratitude from the community. The department has received flowers, thank you cards, and boxes of doughnuts and cookies.

All officers said any act of kindness means a lot to them.

“It make us feel good,” Giuberson said. “I don’t think anybody hears it enough and police officers definitely don’t.”

“When we’re under this kind of pressure, you don’t know how much that really means,” Nielsen said. “Just to hear that ‘thank you’ means an awful lot.”

Nielsen and Giuberson said these gestures show what type of community they serve.

Nielsen said he wishes the positivity from Bannock County could spread elsewhere, but he’s grateful at the support he and his officers receive.

The complete letter that was sent to Chubbuck police can be found on their Facebook page.