Sign Waver Puts Smiles on Cops' Faces

James Fuller isn’t your ordinary street corner protester.

The Sarasota resident has been staging a one-man show of support for law enforcement on the corner of U.S. 301 and Ringling Boulevard. The U.S. Navy veteran carries a sign with him that’s caught the attention of many passersby.

That sign reads, “Cops Matter. Thank a Cop Today.” On the other side, it says, “Cops, Could You Be One? Thank a Cop Today!”

Since Fuller began his display, he’s been honked at more than 1,000 times, has had law enforcement officers stop and take his photo and even had motorists take time out to say kind things to him.

Sarasota Police Department spokeswoman Genevieve Judge heard about Fuller’s display and walked over to meet him earlier this week.

“He’s awesome,” she told Patch. On the agency’s Facebook page, she posted a thank you to the community for its continued support.

“During this challenging time for law enforcement, we appreciate it very much,” she wrote.

Deputy Chief Pat Robinson agrees.

“The officers in our area truly believe that Mr. Fuller’s support is representative of the feelings of the vast majority of the American public who understand the difficult and dangerous profession that is modern policing,” he told Patch. “His gesture, albeit singular in nature, resonates with everyone that sees him standing on our street corner thanking the law enforcement officers of our community.”

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For his part, Fuller is encouraged by the show of support his effort has received from the community.

“It’s given me a piece of mind,” he told Judge. “All these people honking and saying nice things makes me realize others care about our officers, too.”

Fuller’s display is set against a national backdrop of tensions between police officers and citizens.

According to the Officer Down Memorial page, there have been 83 line-of-duty officer deaths since 2015 began, many involving gunfire.

The month of August alone witnessed six fatal shootings of police officers across the country, including the death of Deputy Sheriff Darren H. Goforth in Harris County, Texas. Goforth was shot multiple times while pumping gas into his patrol car.

As tension continue to run high, it’s shows of support like Fuller’s matter to officers on the street, Robinson said.

“All of the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department and our area law enforcement partners appreciate the support we receive from the citizens of our respective communities and hope that Mr. Fuller’s actions will act as a catalyst for others in our neighborhoods to speak in support of the law enforcement professionals that ensure the safety of the communities across the United States of America.”

Photos courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department/Genevieve Judge