Vinton joined other communities across the nation in celebrating Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.) on January 9.

L.E.A.D. was established in recent years as an annual event in response to many negative incidents across the county, and to show support for law enforcement officers who have chosen careers of public service to us all.

The Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) organization, which is one sponsor of the event, asked citizens to wear blue clothing to show their support, to send a card of support to their local police department, or to share positive stories of police actions on social media. They asked for children to write letters in support of the police, for citizens to organize a rally to show support, or for individuals or organizations to post public service announcements in support. Most importantly, citizens were asked by C.O.P.S. to “thank a police officer. They go above and beyond every day to protect our communities.”

Thanks go out to the 24 sworn officers of our Vinton Police Department– Chief Foster, Lt. Austin, Det. Cpl. Bailey, Det. Cpl. Frye, Det. Cpl. Hill, Cpl. Froeschl, Cpl. Hurt, Cpl. Giles, Det. Sgt. Cummings, Sgt. Byrd, Sgt. Caldwell, Sgt. Drummond, Sgt. Lawless, and Officers Benson, Bray, Chapman, Cox, DiCarlo, Hoover, Keith, Murray, Pittman, Shrewsbury, and Stafford. Appreciation is also extended to Vinton Police Department civilian employees April Alterio, executive administrator to the chief, and Wayne Guffey, records manager.