Police lunch

As owner of the Brick and Spoon restaurant, Darren Stafford wanted to do something to show his appreciation for the men and women who protect and serve.

Restaurant is serving up support for law enforcement officers.

Allie martin talks to the owner and a local sheriff about why such displays are important now more than ever.

As owner of the brick and spoon restaurant, darren stafford wanted to do something to show his appreciation for the men and women who protect and serve.

So, throughout june and july, officers in uniform get their meal on the house.

Like every restaurant, brick and spoon was hit hard by covid 19 related shutdowns.

Even now, the tupelo restaurant is operating at 50 percent capacity, so every customer counts.

But stafford felt compelled to show his support for the police in light of recent events.

"it started last week, i watching the seattle news and how police had been shoved out of that block, seeing devalue we put on police, i didn't want that coming to our area, it hasn't , we live in a good area, we appreciate our police and want to make sure they know that, when they come in here and eat, people in restaurant drop by the table and thank them, lift their spirits some."

So through july 31st, any officer in uniform gets a free meal when they dine in at the restaurant.

Lee county sheriff jim johnson says officers know the risks they face daily and are encouraged anytime the public shows appreciation.

"they truly feel, as the bible says, god has placed them here to deviate between good and evil and they are walking with that faith and walking with that confidence and assurance, and then when you have the general public that pats you on the back and says, hey keep doing it, it helps ease fears of what you are facing."

Stafford says response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.

"we have seen that, i've had customers in the restaurant tell me they saw it on facebook, on our website, that we are doing this, i think there will be other restaurants follow suit, to do the same thing, we want to lift these guys up and let them know we want to keep them here."

Stafford encourages other restaurant owners to what he's doing.

He says finding tangible ways to support law officers sends a stronger message than even clever hashtags on social media.

In tupelo, allie martin, wcbi news stafford adds that officers don't have to be from the lee county area.

Any officer in uniform who dines in will get their meal free.