Texas Lt. Gov. Wants Residents To Call Cops Sir and Ma'am, Buy Them Lunch

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is urging Texans - and the rest of America - to show more respect and appreciation for police officers, including saying thank you, calling them sir and ma’am and even picking up their lunch tabs.

In a statement released on his website, Patrick says that “police officers are judged 24/7, 365 days a year for their entire career. One mistake can get them sued, fired or killed. I want to remind Texans and the rest of our country that these brave souls are the thin line between a country of law and order and a society of total lawlessness where no one is safe.”

He suggests several things that Texans should do to be more respectful of law enforcement:

“Join me in changing this negative attitude toward those that protect us, by practicing the following,” he says.

• Start calling our officers sir and ma’am all of the time. It’s a show of respect they deserve.
• Every time you see an officer anywhere, let them know you appreciate their service to our community and you stand with them.
• If you are financially able, when you see them in a restaurant on duty pick up their lunch check, send over a dessert, or simply stop by their table briefly and say thank you for their service.
• Put their charities on your giving list.
• If your local law enforcement has volunteer-citizen job opportunities, sign up.

The list, he said, was prompted by the recent shooting death of an off-duty Houston police officer. Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Goforth was shot 15 times while pumping gas at a local Chevron station.

Shannon Miles, 31, was arrested and faces capital murder charges. He appeared in court on Monday and is being held without bond. According to court records, Miles has been convicted of several crimes including resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and trespassing during the last decade.

Goforth’s funeral is scheduled for Friday. Thousands are expected to attend.

“As more details of the tragic death of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Darren Goforth unfold, a morbid reality is unveiled about America’s negative attitude toward our law enforcement officers. It must end now or we run the risk of fewer men and women willing to go into the profession and families insisting their spouses change careers,” Patrick said.

[PHOTO: https://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/]