Every day, nearly 800,000 law enforcement officers across the country put on their uniforms, say goodbye to their loved ones and go out and serve and protect communities of all sizes. For many, it can often be a mostly thankless job.

As a result of recent events — most notably police-involved deaths of unarmed men in New York City and Ferguson, Mo. — which cast a negative shadow over police officers, groups and individuals across the nation have helped create National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is taking place Friday, Jan. 9. To honor the day, the Cottonwood Police Department will be hosting lunch and dinner for invited Verde Valley law enforcement officers and their families.  

“I’m really appreciative of the initiative taken and the ability to put this together so quickly,” Sedona Police Chief Ray Cota said. “I think it’s a fantastic idea and seems to be getting a lot of attention across the nation as well as within the state.

To read the full story, see the Friday, Jan. 9, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.