Dozens of central Indiana police departments got a special delivery today from a local flower shop.
INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Dozens of central Indiana police departments got a special delivery today from a local flower shop.
The florist wanted to say "thank you" to police officers for their service protecting their communities.
Sometimes the simplest gestures make the biggest impact, like a bright bouquet that now graces the hardened halls of IMPD's homicide office. The note attached expresses thoughts, prayers and thanks to the men and women in blue.
"We had the delivery this morning," said IMPD Homicide and Robbery Administrative Secretary Carmen Garcia. "It's the little things that mean so much. At first the guys thought it was from my boyfriend, who's a sergeant in the department. I said, 'Nope! Not for me. They're for you guys!' They were pleasantly surprised it was for the entire unit, not just one individual. The community support and outreach was really touching to them."
That support reached officers all across central Indiana - from Carmel to Danville to Indianapolis. Twenty police departments got the deliveries Wednesday. A few more are set to receive bouquets in the coming days.
Gillespie Florists is behind all of it.
"They're our heroes and we just wanted to take the opportunity to let them know that we appreciate that they're there for us," said Sarah Gillespie. "We want to give them something to smile about and sort of take their mind off the risk they take every day."
For this family-owned shop, it's also a very personal message.
"Because of my brother being out there every day, as well," Gillespie explained.
"Very proud indeed, very proud," added her father, shop owner Patrick Gillespie.
Ofc. James Gillespie, Patrick's son, is on the force with IMPD. Dad calls him and his fellow officers heroes.
"I just...I so admire them," he said.
He says that's why the current climate for officers has him concerned and wanting to let police know they matter.
"I did a ride-along with James a couple of times and you don't see many thank yous," Gillespie said. "They're so brave and they really love the people that they serve to do that, to put their lives on the line. I just wanted to express how we felt about what they do for us."
So the Gillespies did what they do best. They shared a small gesture of joy in the form of flowers.
