Police officers work tirelessly to ensure we live in a safe and lawful society. Despite the importance and difficulty of their job, many believe they are underpaid and underappreciated.

A KFC branch in Gallipolis, Ohio, decided to recognize the hard work of their local police force by putting up a sign that has since sparked both praise and controversy.

The self-printed sign, displayed prominently on the restaurant’s front door, reads: “All uniformed police officers eat free every day, all day.”

This gesture was meant to show the restaurant’s gratitude toward the police officers in their community. For those in uniform, it must have been a heartwarming sight.

10K Likes and Counting

The owner’s initiative quickly gained attention online after a photo of the sign was shared on Facebook, where it received over 10,000 likes. Employees of the KFC branch even confirmed on social media that they’re happy to offer free meals to police officers throughout the year.

Not Everyone’s Happy

However, not everyone in the community or online was pleased with the sign. Some argued that the special treatment should extend to other emergency service workers, such as ambulance drivers and healthcare professionals, rather than being exclusive to police officers.

The Best Response

Amid the backlash, one police officer took to social media to respond:

“This is a positive post, but some of you can’t see the bigger picture. As an officer, I do not go into any establishment expecting or wanting ANYTHING to be free or even discounted, whether I’m in uniform or not, and I can tell you other officers feel the same way. We don’t like ‘special treatment.’ The fact is that KFC is acknowledging law enforcement, which is why this was posted. To those who stated that other first responders should also be acknowledged, my answer? ABSOLUTELY.”

Police officers dedicate their lives to protecting citizens and maintaining order. Their work is essential to the well-being of our country, and their efforts deserve recognition.

If you agree that more restaurants should follow this example and honor the work of our men and women in blue, please share this story.