The second annual Cone with a Cop drew in many for free ice cream and the opportunity to meet local Law Enforcement Officers. A dozen on duty and off duty police officers, two members of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department and one member of the Wisconsin State Patrol gathered at the Shawano Dairy Queen Grill and Chill for two hours Tuesday afternoon. The event started last year, but after becoming Police Chief, Dan Mauel wanted to continue the effort that was started, because it serves an important purpose.
“We want the kids to know that Police are their friends” Chief Mauel said. “I had so many people come up to me and say thank you for your job and we really support you, but what I wanted to tell them is that’s nice, but thank you for coming out so that we can show them that we support them as much as they support us.”
Officer Tyler Thornborrow gave tours of his squad car, allowed kids to try on some equipment and answered any questions the kids had. One group in particular wanted to know how spike strips work, so Officer Thornborrow brought them out to show them. Thornborrow said engaging with kids and teaching them about police work holds a special place for him.
“When I was growing up, that is what the Police Officers and Sheriff’s Department did for me” he said. “We want kids to know they can come to us if they need help, and we want them to come to us just to say hi.”
Patty Siedel of the Shawano Diary Queen Grill and Chill said she was happy to give out free ice cream, but was even more pleased to see people take the time to visit in with the officers.
“This is a great event” Siedel said. “Dairy Queen’s mantra is about creating a smile and a story, and I think we are doing plenty of that today.”