Students in Marion County honored first responders this week.
- Young students in Marion County honored first responders
- Students wrote notes, letters to Ocala Police
On Thursday, Wyomina Park Elementary School in Ocala presented hundreds of hand-made cards and letters to the Ocala Police Department during Florida First Responder Appreciation Week — a week that has also been a time of mourning for law enforcement agencies after an Orlando Police officer and Orange County deputy were killed.
"I know it is a stressful week for them, but they need to know the community supports them as well as our students,” said Tonya Epps, the Professional Development Specialist at Wyomina Park.
"You always hear police saying, 'We are your friend.' Well, we really want to be their friends," Ocala Police Sgt. Cynthia Barnes said. "We don't want them afraid of us."
Other Marion County law enforcement agencies were honored throughout the week at different schools.