By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — The Graham County Attorney’s Office expressed its gratitude to law enforcement and all those who assist them at its sixth annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday.
Officers from law enforcement agencies throughout Graham County, the jail, probation, the Bureau of Land Management, and more descended upon the picnic held outside the Graham County Courthouse for some good chow and some good conversation. They were joined by County Attorney Office staff working at the event, other courtroom employees, and attorneys.
Graham County Attorney L. Scott Bennett took a turn behind the grill, cooking up some hamburgers and jumbo cheese-filled hotdogs. He said he looks forward to the yearly event to give back to law enforcement for their tireless efforts to rid the area of crime.
“What we do is contingent on their hard work,” Bennett said. “I mean, we don’t have any success if they don’t put the cases together for us and, honestly, they make us look good. They bring us these fantastic cases with basically a big bow on them after doing hours and hours of work. So, they bring it all to us, and we prosecute them, and 99 percent of all of our cases plead simply because they put together such good cases.”
The Attorney’s Office put on the spread, and in addition to Elizabeth Gardner behind the grill, Elvira Talavera helped facilitate the event with Susie Alvarez, Destiny Taylor, and Heather Jacobs. Debbie Barnes, even though she is retired, assisted as well.
Graham County Sheriff P.J. Allred and Safford Police Chief Brian Avila stopped by for some lunch around noon and hobnobbed with other officers from various agencies. Graham County Supervisor Paul David was also on hand to give his appreciation.
“They do so much for us by doing such a good job we probably owe them a lot more than a hamburger and a hotdog,” Bennett said. “But this is the one thing we can do every year to tell them that we appreciate them.”
