capitolstreets “Every day our police officers put their lives on the line for all of us and they don’t get thanked nearly often enough. They dedicate themselves to our community – often in ways that are little noticed and sometimes overlooked. By showing their appreciation, this faith community shines a much-deserved light on the everyday heroism of MPD and its officers.”
Heroes of the Hill
Methodists praise police with annual “heartfelt” thanks by Carol Anderson
S
o said Ward 6 City Council member Tommy Wells on Feb. 13 while attending the 13th Annual Police Valentine Tribute honoring DC’s finest. Each year the event features church members arriving at the First District Sub-Station (1D1) with food, valentines, keepsake gifts and performing songs that name as many officers as lyrics will allow. This year, church members from the newly designated Ebenezer Circuit – Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Ebenezer United Methodist Church and Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church – participated in the tribute “I can honestly say I have never had a ‘thank you’ quite like this,” said Inspector Mario Patrizio, 1D1’s new station chief. “It’s comforting to know that the community is aware of and appreciates the daily struggles that members of the MPDC go through for the citizenry we are sworn to protect.” Police and Wells; Caption: DC Council member Tommy Wells reminds all of the importance of saying thank you to our dedicated police. Photos: Roswell Taylor He was ably assisted at this year’s fete by Lt. Diane Durbin, a vetmen and women officers would reeran of the yearly tributes. turn safely home from the daily dan“Officers of the First District Subgers of protecting the community. Station look forward to this tribute Besides the sights and sounds every year. It’s really become one of competing for the officers’ attention, our favorite events,” said Lt. Diane were the smells of zesty shrimp, homeDurbin. She especially noted the efmade soup, fresh-from-the-oven cookfort and creativity it took to make ies and other culinary delights. The the many kids’ valentines, the special many personalized valentines made by songs and “all the good treats to eat!” CHUMC’s Children’s Sunday School To jumpstart the fun, the group class and the TGIF kids added lots of Some of the regalers and regalees. Kids’ Valentines opened with a rap that welcomed color to the 1D1 break room. Inspector Patrizio and Commander One of the best – and most prac- stationhouse. Its clever slogan read, Durbin lost no time attaching a pink Daniel Hickson and lauded officers tical – food gifts for the police was “Treats Before You Hit Our Streets.” lion key chain to her shirt pocket. by name. They next performed the a tri-panel “Snack Center” created by Among this year’s fun keepsakes Inspector Patrizio said that long group song, “Heroes of the Hill,” the kids of TGIF, a before- and af- for the officers were fuzzy hearts with after the event was over, the officers which also lifted up individual offiter-school tutoring program housed the words “Heart Throb” on them. still wore the valentine stickers from cers. For the musical highlight, soat Capitol Hill United Methodist When you pulled the attached cord, the kids. The stickers were tempoloist Alan Naylor sang “Bring Him Church. It had 100 snack multi- the heart literally throbbed. There rary, he said; the smiles were permaHome” from “Les Miserables,” which packs stapled to it that officers could were valentine animal key chains, nent. “I was still smiling when I got served as a musical prayer that all grab on their way in and out of the heart stickers and other fun items. Lt. home.” H 54 H HillRag | March 2012