OPTIMIST CLUB SPONSORS RESPECT FOR LAW WEEK

The Jackson Optimist Club recently sponsored its annual Respect for Law Week to give special recognition to the city's law enforcement officers.

Sixth-grade students at Immaculate Conception, St. Paul Lutheran and public schools were asked to write essays on "Why I Would Like to Spend a Day with a Police Officer."

Winners from each class were allowed to spend May 8 with police officers from the Jackson City Police, Cape Girardeau County sheriff's department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Officer Rodney Barnes, Jackson police chief Marvin Sides, and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan coordinated the activities with the various agencies.

Activities included riding on patrol with officers, tours of the city police and fire complex and the Cape Girardeau Federal Courthouse as well as presentations by the K-9 unit, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and a SEMO Drug Task Force special agent.

A noon meal was furnished by the Optimist Club in the city park. The winners, their parents and law enforcement officials were guests of the Jackson Optimist Club that evening for a meal and program.

The program recognized the importance of our law enforcement officials and emphasized how people in the community appreciate the job they do.