Vicksburg’s City Park Pavilion was packed with law enforcement agents Friday as officers took a moment to celebrate police week with a catered picnic. 

Current and retired agents from Vicksburg Police Department, Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, Mississippi Gaming Commission and other agencies got a hamburger, a hotdog and a moment of thanks during the event sponsored by Jackson Communications, which is the radio equipment provider for the city and county.

The event was widely welcomed in the aftermath of negative national attitudes toward police following incidents across the country.

“With everything going on in today’s society, a lot of people are anti-police until they need the police,” Vicksburg police Lt. Troy Kimble said. “We appreciate being appreciated.”

Law enforcement can be a thankless job. People being arrested usually aren’t the most friendly.

Those who call the police aren’t in the best moods either. And don’t forget all the angry drivers being ticketed after breaking the law.

“This is the type of event that shows people do appreciate what we do,” said Warren County Deputy Rick Jordan, a former federal agent who joined the sheriff’s office in 2002. “We appreciate how the people have been considerate of us.”

Jackson Communications has sponsored the event at its office in Pearl for years, but this is the first time a law enforcement appreciation cookout has been held in Vicksburg, said Bill Roberts, a representative for the company.

“We feel like they run seven days a week and nobody ever slows down to say thank you. The easiest way is to sit down with them and have a meal,” Roberts said.

The meal also brings together law enforcement officers who might rarely see each other, despite the fact that they work in the same city or county.

“They have a stressful job, and it’s good to get them together. The bottom line is we want to say thank you,” Roberts said.