The men and women who serve in law enforcement play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and order of our communities. Their work, often grueling and demanding, is vital to ensuring the rule of law, yet many believe they are not adequately compensated for the sacrifices they make.
One KFC branch in Gallipolis, Ohio, sought to shed light on this issue and show support for local police officers in a unique way. The restaurant’s owner decided to hang a sign on the front door, a gesture that quickly caught the attention of the community.
The sign, which reads “All uniformed police officers eat free every day, all day,” was intended to express gratitude for the hard work of law enforcement. It’s easy to imagine how heartening it must have been for officers to walk by and see such an unexpected show of appreciation.
The thoughtful initiative quickly gained traction online. After a photo of the sign was posted on Facebook, it garnered over 10,000 likes. Employees at the KFC confirmed that the offer is genuine and that they’re proud to provide free meals to police officers year-round.
However, not everyone is pleased with the gesture. Some critics argue that the policy unfairly targets one group and that other first responders—such as paramedics, firefighters, and healthcare workers—should be included in such recognition. This has sparked debate both locally and online about the fairness and inclusivity of the gesture.
The best comeback
After so many negative comments, one police officer felt the need to reply:
“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/wanting ANYTHING to be free or let alone even a discount, wether 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 protect ordinary citizens and our society. Their work is a fundamental foundation for the wellbeing of our country and I am grateful for all their efforts.
Please share if you think more restaurants should take after this great example — and to honor the important work of all our men and women in blue.
