Derrick Cunningham said being asked to attend Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Butler County on Saturday represented his idea of “putting the community first.”

Cunningham, Chief Deputy of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and host of the popular County Law television show, said he relishes the opportunity to meet the public any chance he gets.

“I love being out in the community,” Cunningham told attendees of Saturday’s second annual event. “I like to be involved. I know it means a lot if a law enforcement officer can throw up a hand and just wave to someone in the community. It shows you’re cared for.”

Like many, Cunningham said he has been a victim of crime so he understands how it feels to be victimized. He also said parents should educate their children not to fear law enforcement.

“Let your kids know it’s okay to talk to law enforcement,” he said.

Beside featuring fun games for the children and free hot dogs and hamburgers, Saturday’s event also allowed local law enforcement to pay their respects to former Greenville police officer Winston “Wink” Fussell.

Fussell, a longtime patrolman and investigator in the Greenville Police Department, died on Oct. 2. Fussell’s widow, Dovie, was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque honoring her late husband.