Sheriff's open house hosts 500

With a red plastic firefighter's hat tilted on his head, 3-year-old Kevin McConnville surveyed the crowd Wednesday at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office open house from his mother Shannon's arms.

"We want to show Kevin local law enforcement and let him have fun," said his father, Darren McConnville. "He knows they're the good guys."

The McConnvilles joined an estimated 500 residents at the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center for the biennial sheriff's office event during National Law Enforcement Week.

Visitors lined up for hot dogs, jail tours and demonstrations of all kinds including the sheriff's office K9 patrol.

"We're here to honor those who serve every day," said Sheriff Ron Pierini during an opening ceremony with the department's honor guard.

He presented a life-saving medal to Deputy Adam Windsor who helped save a Roundhill resident who attempted suicide last September.

Windsor pulled the man out of a vehicle that was in a closed garage with the engine running.

"Without their hard work, this man wouldn't have made it," Pierini said.

He also thanked the community for its support of the department's 125 officers and support staff.

"Every other year we give honor to the agency and educate the public as to what services are available," Pierini said.

"We're very proud of our employees and our 300 volunteers," he said.

Ten-year-old Jasmine Oakes and her brother Marshall, 9, attended with their mother Lynn.

Marshall was poring over a booklet titled "How to tell the good guys from the bad guys."

"We want to go to all the things here," he said.

Lynn Oakes said she brought her family to show their support for law enforcement.

Personnel were on hand to fingerprint children and demonstrate the evidence-processing lab. Visitors also had an opportunity to look through the crisis negotiation team vehicle, the patrol boat and incident command vehicle.

Other tables were staffed with members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 2105 and the Partnership of Community Resources.