Police be my valentine

PHOTOS BY ADRIENNE SARVIS / THE SUMTER ITEM

Sumter Police Department officers handed out Valentine's Day cards to kindergarten students at Alice Drive, Willow Drive and Millwood elementary schools Thursday.

Each card featured Chase from the "Paw Patrol" TV show and a sticker badge for the students to wear. The classes also received gummy wristbands to eat later. First Sgt. James Sinkler said the department has been delivering cards to students on this holiday for four years to introduce themselves to the young students so they understand that officers are around to protect them and their parents. This visit also lets young children know that officers do more than just lock up bad guys, he said. Many of the students said they love the police, Sinkler said, or they want to be officers when they grow up.