Law enforcement officers may sometimes wonder if the risks they take are appreciated by the public, but on Thursday they were emphatically told that they are.
The three local Masonic lodges held their fifth annual "Honoring Midland's Best" catfish luncheon inside the north sallyport at the county jail, where Sheriff's Lt. Kenny Johnson led some 250 city, county, state and federal officers in a prayer.
"We thank you, God, for giving us the courage to go through what we do," said Johnson. "Put your protective arm around us so we can go home safely every day."
Tom Arnold, a Mason and 90-year-old reserve deputy who served as "master chef," said the event is intended to show gratitude to the officers and fire fighters. "The Masons want to do this to show our appreciation," he said.
Arnold said group photos taken outside as the luncheon ended would be submitted to "Texas Lawman" magazine, published by the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, and "The Texas Mason" magazine.
He became one of Sheriff Gary Painter's reserves 14 years ago, eventually earning his own office from which to work as a liaison to the district attorney's office. Born on Dec. 5, 1919, he celebrated his 90th birthday last year, Arnold said.
The retired boiler company owner said he had long been interested in law enforcement because his grandfather Joseph had been a New Braunfels policeman before his dad Elmo served as sheriff of Comal County from 1937-41 and as New Braunfels chief of police for 18 years.
Source: http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/04/29/news/top_stories/cops_luncheon.txt
The three local Masonic lodges held their fifth annual "Honoring Midland's Best" catfish luncheon inside the north sallyport at the county jail, where Sheriff's Lt. Kenny Johnson led some 250 city, county, state and federal officers in a prayer.
"We thank you, God, for giving us the courage to go through what we do," said Johnson. "Put your protective arm around us so we can go home safely every day."
Tom Arnold, a Mason and 90-year-old reserve deputy who served as "master chef," said the event is intended to show gratitude to the officers and fire fighters. "The Masons want to do this to show our appreciation," he said.
Arnold said group photos taken outside as the luncheon ended would be submitted to "Texas Lawman" magazine, published by the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, and "The Texas Mason" magazine.
He became one of Sheriff Gary Painter's reserves 14 years ago, eventually earning his own office from which to work as a liaison to the district attorney's office. Born on Dec. 5, 1919, he celebrated his 90th birthday last year, Arnold said.
The retired boiler company owner said he had long been interested in law enforcement because his grandfather Joseph had been a New Braunfels policeman before his dad Elmo served as sheriff of Comal County from 1937-41 and as New Braunfels chief of police for 18 years.
Source: http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/04/29/news/top_stories/cops_luncheon.txt