SANFORD, N.C. (WTVD) -- Hundreds in the Sanford community rallied Tuesday evening in support of its police department. The group surrounded the police department in the pouring rain to say thank you.
"We'll stand out in the rain because they stand out in the rain," said Sanford resident Mike Parker.
This peaceful show of support uniquely included Christmas carols and a show of gratitude from officers as they shook each person's hand.
"It's the right time of year to do it. The meaning of Christmas is you give, show your love, and support for your community," said Mike Parker, who helped organize the event.
"They do an endless job and protect and serve us every day and they very rarely ever get anything in return, "said Susan Cottrell, who lives in Sanford.
"I just want to show my support," said Sanford resident Earl Wood.
This peaceful show of support follows months of violence. Just weeks ago in Sanford, there was an officer involved shooting.
Before that, in our area and nationally, we've seen protests turn violent. Those protests stemmed from two grand jury decisions in the officer involved deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.
Then, most recently, two New York police officers were killed execution style by a man investigators describe as unstable, in the name of that cause.
Since then, activists, once fighting against police tactics, are now standing with police to show that no violence in the name of change is okay.
Residents in this corner of the world in Sanford think Tuesday night's statement in the rain is a good first step toward that positive change.
"Something needs to be done. There's no magic pill to take. I just think we need to do something and this is a good first step," said Wood.