Missouri citizens stand behind members of law enforcement and their families, Gov. Eric Greitens said Friday, on a night to honor the best of area police, sheriff deputies, highway patrol troopers and others.
Greitens attended the Elks Law and Order Night in Poplar Bluff, the first sitting governor to participate in the event.
"It is so important for me to be down here for this event because I wanted to demonstrate to all of our law enforcement officers and their families, that we have their back," Greitens said before the ceremony, after posing for photographs and talking to area residents. "We appreciate their service to their communities. We appreciate their service to the state. They need to know that I, and the vast majority of Missourians, support our police and law enforcement."
The event was attended by approximately 350 members of the law enforcement community and their families, exceeding previous events of around 270 people, said Don Trout, an Elks member and Poplar Bluff police deputy chief, who presided over the event.
"I will say, in my 29 years of law enforcement, I've never seen a governor stand behind us like this one does," Trout said, before Greitens spoke. "Right from the beginning, he has always said, 'I've got your back,' and he has proved nothing short of that."
Greitens said he hears support for law enforcement wherever he travels in the state.
"That is the dominant sentiment. The vast majority of people are behind you," he said. "The vast majority of people respect what you and your families do."
Greitens spoke of Officer Christopher Ryan Morton, a 30-year-old Clinton, Mo., police officer who was killed while on duty earlier this month.
Morton had stepped in to fill the gap, Greitens said, following the death in August of Clinton police officer Gary Michael.
The community has faced hardship and has come together, Greitens said, adding that the funeral procession for Morton was so long, it lasted three hours.
The people who protect have held different names throughout history, as knights and warriors, he said.
"Today, our protectors, the people who are willing to defend the defenseless, to respond to danger, to support those who need to be supported at times of difficulty and hardship, go by the names of police officers," said Greitens. "It is a strong and proud tradition and I am proud to see it honored across the state."
Before leaving, Greitens said he wanted members of law enforcement to know he appreciated what they do.
"I appreciate your families. I appreciate your commitment to service. I appreciate the sacrifice that you make. We do. We have your back," he said.