SPRUCE PINE — Local law enforcement officers were treated to a free lunch at DT’s Blue Ridge Java in downtown Spruce Pine on Friday, Sept. 11.
Mitchell County-based Sweet Creek Construction bought the lunches for any law enforcement officer who dropped into the restaurant during business hours.
In a time of growing distrust of the police around the country, Sweet Creek Construction Co-Owner Ken Schlabach said the business wanted to show gratitude to local law enforcement officers.
“In a day and time where the police are getting a bad rap and a lot of negative press. we want to create a culture of honor and respect and to give back to those who serve us,” Schlabach said. “We appreciate the men and women of our law enforcement and this is a small way that we can bless them.”
Spruce Pine Police Chief Bill Summerlin was one member of law enforcement who took advantage of the lunch. He said the small act of kindness Sweet Creek Construction was providing for them meant a lot to him, especially now.
“Truly, I don’t know if anybody understands and knows what it means to look in the mirror every morning and know that this might be the last time that I see me,” Summerlin said. “It’s been sad times lately, but this right here makes it worth it. All of our local businesses are good to us. I love my town.”
Summerlin added some of his thoughts about the recent rise in skepticism of police.
“It’s our job and we love it but we’re scrutinized right now to the point that it’s starting to put a stranglehold on law enforcement across the land,” Summerlin said. “I truly don’t understand why. As far as me and my department, we try to be good to people. We truly do. Not that I’m trying to blow up praises in our name, but there are times that we have to do our job and a lot of people just don’t understand why we’ve got to do our job.”