Free lunch offered for law officers

A free lunch for law enforcement is being offered Aug. 1-3 at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Kalispell.

Active and retired law enforcement personnel are invited to eat for free between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the restaurant on 175 Hutton Ranch Road as a way to say thanks as part of the “Blue Lives Matter” movement.

Sponsors include Dickey’s and organizations such as God’s Ten and PS 91:1 and Garden of Eden Thrift store.

“With everything that’s going on in the world we felt each community could love on our law enforcement,” Tammy Gipe of PS 91:1 said, referring to the recent fatal shootings of police officers. “I have a personal stake in it. Everybody should have a personal stake in it.”

In 2009, Gipe’s sister Tina Griswold died in the line of duty in Tacoma, Washington, when she and three other policemen were shot to death while they sat around a table in a coffee shop. At the time of her death, Griswold was 40 and the mother of two children.

“It’s not OK that these killings are taking place. They need to be respected for what they do. Sure there may be some bad apples — in every area there’s going to be a bad seed — but that doesn’t mean we turn our backs and not respect them. There’s so much good out there and it doesn’t get reported. We want to shed a light for those who are doing wonderful jobs.

“And it’s not OK that we’re killing each other,” Gipe said.

Philip Klevmoen of God’s Ten said he hoped that law enforcement know there is appreciation out in the community for their service and commitment to ensure the safety of the community.

“It’s to honor the people in blue,” Klevmoen said.