Public Safety Appreciation: 14th annual luncheon time to say 'thank you'

Saturday, May 12, 2012
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alt — Georgia State Patrol officers Sergeant First Class James Corbett, Trooper First Class Katie Thompson and TFC Brandon Kight enjoy the food at Coweta's Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon on Friday.

By JOHN A. WINTERS john@newnan.com (Editor's note: Times-Herald public safety reporter John Winters shares some personal thoughts about the men and women he covers every day.) There are certain men and women you pray you never meet on a professional level.

For most of us, our only interaction with them involves seeing blue lights in our rearview mirror and then making comments along the lines of 'there's no way I was going that fast' or 'what stop sign?' And then we complain. And mutter a few things under our breath that would get our kids a mouth washing at home. If that's your only interaction with these men and women, consider yourself blessed. The tools of their trade vary - yes, some blue lights, but also a syringe, an IV, a radio, a computer screen, an axe, a fire hose, a bulletproof vest, a handgun. Their titles vary as well: 911 dispatcher, EMT, firefighter, sheriff's deputy, police officer, investigator, trooper, and so on. Yes, they write tickets. But they do a few other things as well. They are the ones you need when your 2-year-old just swallowed something from under the sink and is vomiting; when your grandfather falls clutching his chest; when your spouse and children are involved in a head-on collision; when someone is trying to break into your home; when that same home is on fire. They are also the ones who raid some house to bust up a drug ring, knowing full well they definitely won't be greeted with a handshake, but possibly gunfire. You don't ever want to see them on that level. But you, we, are so thankful they always show up when called. I cover public safety for The Newnan Times-Herald. I've watched these men and women take on a blazing house with methodical precision born only from constant practice; while at the same time consoling homeowners watching everything they have be destroyed. I watched them carve a vehicle apart to free trapped children with a skill that would cause a heart surgeon to stand up and applaud. I've watched big burly officers, weighed down with guns and tasers and handcuffs, offer a shoulder to a family member who's just been told their spouse is dead. I've been a journalist for 25 years; I'm covered those in public safety from Georgia to Alaska and several places in between. And I can tell you without question I would put those who work in the cities and county of Coweta up against any of the rest, and even with one hand tied behind their backs. We are very fortunate. And Friday, Coweta County, thanks to the local Public Safety Advisory Committee, got a chance to say 'thank you' to these men and women in blue and white and black and khaki and whatever other color their uniforms are. It was the 14th annual Public Safety Appreciation Lunch, held at the Coweta County Fairgrounds. A chance for those in that 'public safety' category to sit down with their peers from various departments and enjoy some great barbecue and, well, incredible homemade desserts brought in from countless volunteers. This week 'loyal blue' bows have been displayed in their honor around town. There was no program for the luncheon, no set agenda. Just a chance for those in public safety to know they are appreciated. I could come up with some great illustration of that, but sometimes, you realize others say it better than you can, even if you're paid to write. 'I want you to know how much we love you and appreciate what you do for this community,' said Norma Haynes, who spearheads the annual luncheon. 'Know we are always here for you, as you are always here for us.' And that pretty well sums it up.

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Public Safety Appreciation: 14th annual luncheon time to say 'thank you'

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