The community had the opportunity to see the men and women behind the badges as the Westfield Police Dept. hosted its fourth annual “Jake Laird” Community Appreciation Day on Aug. 6 at Quaker Park, 17501 Dartown Rd.
“Our top priority is to serve our community by providing a safe environment for people to work, live and play. We cannot accomplish this without developing a relationship with those we serve” Police Chief Joel Rush said. “We develop and foster those relationships through outreach programs such as the Jake Laird Community Day.”
The WPD provided free hotdogs and popcorn. Kids were treated to various activities including bounce houses, a rock climbing wall and a K9 demonstration. Officers were on hand to showcase the department’s vehicles, equipment and programs.
“Our officers love this event,” Rush said. “They enjoy meeting the people they serve and taking the time to get to know them. The kids get a big kick out of the event. What kid didn’t want to be a police officer growing up?”
Hamilton County residents Mike and Debbie Laird presented WPD with a donation to fund the annual Community Day celebration. The Lairds are the parents of fallen Indianapolis Police Officer Timothy “Jake” Laird who gave his life in the line of duty on Aug. 18, 2004. In his honor, the Westfield Police Dept. will pay tribute to Jake and promote the spirit of community by providing an evening of food and fun for the residents of Westfield.
“The Lairds are wonderful to work with,” Rush said. “It is truly an honor to pay tribute to Jake and his family by hosting this event in his name.”
After Jake’s death, the Lairds established the Jake Laird Memorial Fund which provides funds for local law enforcement agencies in need of new equipment, innovating new programs, and assists with officer hardships. The Laird Family is known as friends to numerous police agencies throughout Indiana sponsoring programs that strengthen community relations.
For more photos from the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.412273618884055.1073741857.153231491454937&type=3