CRESTVIEW — A 5-year-old started a movement that focused the community’s attention on the value of its law enforcement and inspired a Crestview Police Department fundraiser.
Click here or see photos from the event.
Monday evening, a number of residents flocked to the McDonald’s on North Ferdon Boulevard to see a static display of Crestview Police Department vehicles, weapons and equipment, and while there, raised $500 for the Crestview Police Memorial Fund.
Costa Enterprises, the McDonald’s franchise owner, matched the money, for a total of $1,000.
McDonald’s manager Jennifer Austin planned the event, franchise owner David Costa said. “She said, ‘Let’s do something great for our police department," he said.
Jaedyn Williams, 5, "actually (is) the one who started the Blue Lives Matter campaign in Crestview,” his dad, Stephen Williams, said.
“What happened was Jaedyn was watching a video online a Texas cop had posted of a neighborhood that put out blue ribbons,” mom Cassey Williams said. “He said, ‘Mom, we should do that!’ He gets very excited when he sees blue ribbons.”
The Crestview Police Department recognized Jaedyn’s efforts by making him an honorary policeboy. Jaedyn, dressed in a junior-sized blue uniform with authentic patches, name badge, duty belt and hat, clambered around the armored car, periodically pausing to “call for back-up” on the radio.
During the event, residents examined the local police department’s equipment.
Special Weapons and Tactics Team Officer Justin Reed helped Christian Jacob Wooten, 3, into a bullet-proof vest. Nearby, Officer Lucas Kraus showed Jacob’s brother, Kaycen, 6, how to hold a gun.
Other children poked their heads through the police department’s armored car gun turret, got their faces painted, and took turns giving the car’s siren a wail.
Money raised during the event — which represents a percentage of Monday sales between 4 and 8 p.m., will go toward building a memorial to Okaloosa County law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview restaurant raises $1,000 during Blue Lives Matter event (PHOTOS, VIDEO)