RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS) - Rutherford County residents are being encouraged to take a moment Friday, Jan. 9, to recognize the men and women who serve in law enforcement as part of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The annual observance, held every Jan. 9, is supported by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and partnering organizations across the country. Their message is simple and heartfelt: law enforcement officers steps into a demanding and often unpredictable career in service to their communities, and a word of appreciation can go a long way. WGNS is joining that call, encouraging everyone to let officers know they are valued and respected.

Here at home, that service comes from a wide network of local agencies working around the clock to keep residents safe. Rutherford County is protected by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the police departments in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and Eagleville. Officers also serve on the campuses of Middle Tennessee State University and the Alvin C. York V.A. Medical Center, providing safety and support to students, staff, veterans, and families.

C.O.P.S. encourages citizens who appreciate that work to show their support in whatever way feels meaningful. One of the easiest gestures is to wear blue on Friday as a visible sign of appreciation. Residents can also send a card or handwritten note to any local department or state agency. Families are invited to involve children by having them write letters or draw pictures for officers, a small act that often means a great deal.

Supporters can also take part in Project Blue Light by displaying a blue light at home or at their business. And for those active on social media, sharing a positive story or memory involving a law enforcement officer helps spread encouragement throughout the community.

Organizers say the most important gesture is also the simplest. If you see a police officer on Friday—whether they’re patrolling your neighborhood, directing traffic, or grabbing lunch—take a moment to thank them for their service. It’s a small act that carries real weight.

And as you see officers going the extra mile, let WGNS know so we can recognize them as a Demos’ Outstanding Officer. Your Good Neighbor Station is proud of the professional and caring police officers who risk their lives daily to make the Heart of Tennessee a safer place to live, raise a family, and retire.