East Ellijay Police Department event lets cops aid canines
East Ellijay Police Department (EEPD) Officer Chris Hawthorne wants Gilmer to know that police do much more than just make arrests.
They can also help you make a new best friend.
That’s why he’s hosting the EEPD’s first “Pups and PoPo” community event.
“We want people to come and see us in a different form,” he said. “It’s also something we can do to benefit the community.”
The event, hosted by the EEPD Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will display dogs from Ellijay Paws in Need and the Gilmer County Animal Shelter. Visitors will be able to meet the dogs and consider adopting them.
They can also take pictures with the officers and cute puppies.
“We’re people too, and we’re here to serve with dedication, honor and integrity,” he said. “And of course, I’m excited to see dogs get adopted.”
Attendees are invited to bring donations of animal food for local pets in need.
The event will take place in the Ellijay Walmart’s parking lot, located at 88 Highland Crossing, East Ellijay.
The event is supported by Chick-fil-A, the Tractor Supply Company, Walmart, Double Up Games, Farmers Home Furniture and others.
Before he went into law enforcement, Hawthorne wanted to be a stand-up comedian, but realized he needed to support his family.
He found a calling in serving as a police officer.
“It was always a passion of mine,” he said.
In his time in law enforcement, he has learned the value of teamwork to make the world better.
“Any good idea isn’t just one person. It’s a group of people coming together and realizing a need and trying to find out a way to succeed for that need,” he said.
Community support makes law enforcement easier, he added.
“Everyone’s so welcoming and friendly and open,” he said of Gilmer.
Law enforcement is about protecting and helping the vulnerable, Hawthorne said.
And animals are often vulnerable. They can’t talk or call the police when they are mistreated.
“We help people when they need help and they call us,” he said. “But animals can’t speak and they can’t help themselves without a community around them.”
But with the community’s help, they can live happy, productive and meaningful lives. Finding them a home would be a service to the county.
“We want the county to know that we’re so appreciative of them,” he said. “And the best way to show that appreciation is to get some of these dogs adopted.”
If the event is successful, Hawthorne said he hopes it will become an annual EEPD tradition.