Law Enforcement Tribute set Feb. 27

McCOOK, Neb. -- Determined to set an example for America, student groups at McCook High School are taking a lead role in planning and presenting a tribute to law enforcement officers in McCook and Red Willow County.

"We want every one of the town's and county's enforcement team to know how much we appreciate all they do to protect and serve our citizens and our visitors," said Dawson Brunswick, a McCook High School senior. "By working together with law enforcement officers, we believe we can uplift our community and make it a model for America."

At the big event -- which will take place Saturday evening, Feb. 27, at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Room - every one of McCook's and Red Willow County's 57 officers will receive a framed Certificate of Commendation for their selfless service. The McCook Police Department, the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office and jail staff, the Nebraska conservation officer for this area and the McCook station of the Nebraska State Patrol team members, along with their wives, husbands and/or significant others, will all be treated to a catered white plate, prime rib dinner served by students from McCook High School.

The catered dinner and the presentation of certificates will be followed by a video tribute by Nebraska Governor Pete Rickets and a keynote address by Corey O'Brien, a leading prosecutor with the Nebraska Attorney General's office. A past winner of the Nebraska Prosecutor of the Year Award, O'Brien is well-known in this area because of his help with the prosecution of Stathis Kirkpatrick for the murder of Kailee Clapp.

In order to have all law enforcement team members take part, the event will start at 5 p.m. so that officers on both sides of the evening shift change can attend. The McCook and Red Willow County lawmen and law women will attend in uniform.

Tickets will be free to all the law enforcement officers and their companions and the student servers. For community members wishing to attend to show their support and appreciation for law enforcement officers, a limited number of tickets will be available for $30 each. Tickets will remain on sale at Sehnert's Bakery and Bieroc Cafe, the McCook National Bank and Hershberger Music Company until the supply is depleted.

The idea for the law enforcement tribute came from Allen D. Strunk, the publisher emeritus of the McCook Gazette. Last August, Mr. Strunk contacted his McCook friends and encouraged them to start an effort to recognize and respect law enforcement officers. The former McCook publisher, who now lives in Las Vegas, was troubled by incidents like those in Ferguson and Baltimore, which tarnished the image of law enforcement personnel nationwide.

To start the effort, a fund drive began, with $8,000 quickly pledged to provide funding for the law enforcement event.

A central part of the Law Enforcement Tribute will be the presentation of the Certificates of Commendation to each of the town's and county's law enforcement team. The wording on the certificates is as follows:

"The Community Of McCook, Nebraska Gratefully Acknowledges The Selfless Service Of Law Enforcement Team Members Who Put Their Lives On The Line To Protect And Serve The Citizens And Visitors Who Make McCook The Great Place It Is."

The certificates were signed in early January by McCook Mayor Mike Gonzales; Red Willow County Commission Chair Vesta Dack; Community Hospital Board Chair Wayne Watkins; McCook Economic Development Board Chair Jim Ulrich Jr.; McCook Community Foundation Chair Doug Skiles; and McCook Area Chamber of Commerce President Chad Arasmith.