In the recent months, law enforcement officials around the world have undergone scrutiny, but in The Friendliest City in the South, the community has come together to support and show appreciation to first responders.

“With all the recent events that have happened towards law enforcement and the way that people have turned against us and are untrusting of us, it is a relief to see so many different organizations to come show us their appreciation,” said Kevin Bowen with the Luverne Police Department.

“In the world we are living in today, it’s not only a relief for us but also a blessing that we are fortunate enough to live in a community that supports us and stands behind us. Being in a community like that helps with our jobs because we know that the people in the community will help us if and when we may need it.”

Employees of City Finance in Luverne recently held an appreciation breakfast for first responders in Crenshaw County, and members of the Luverne United Methodist Church held a celebration service in their honor, followed by a lunch this past Sunday.

“We started off because our town has been doing law appreciation and support this month, and I just had the idea to go ahead and do a breakfast for all first responders,” said Sara Wallace, customer representative at City Finance in Luverne.

“We just wanted to show our appreciation, and we had a great turn out. We had about 21 or 24 chairs set up, and we had all of those filled plus people standing at one time.”

Those in attendance included first responders from the Luverne Police Department, the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office, the Brantley Police Department, all area rescue squads and all Volunteer Fire Departments.

Wallace says that Pepsi, Food Depot, McDonald’s, Hardees and Subway all lent a hand by donating food for the first responders’ breakfast.

To continue the support, LUMC honored law enforcement officials in a special Sunday service, and followed it up with a covered dish lunch.

“Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous service. We had representatives from Sheriff Mickey Powell and his family, Chief Paul Allen, many of his officers and their families and we had a few state troopers and Chief Neal from the fire department,” said Shay McIntosh with LUMC.

“We were so glad that they attended, because our members wanted to show their gratitude for their service to our community. They left here thanking us for doing that for them, and I said no this is our thanks to you.”

The support is far from over for the Crenshaw community, and officers continue to see the support pour on from many businesses and individuals.

“I would just like to thank all the businesses, churches and everyone else who has told us that they appreciate us and that they support us,” Bowen said.