GLENNVILLE, Ga. () — Hundreds of people gathered in the small town to honor local and state law enforcement for their service at the 37th Annual Law Enforcement Cookout.

This event is put on every year at Wayne Dasher’s pond house in Glennville. Eight other sheriffs joined him in hosting the event, though there was representation from almost every Coastal Empire agency.

Prominent leaders were also in attendance, including Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Both said they are very proud to celebrate those who protect communities across the state.

“If you’re willing to put the uniform on every day in a job that is not safe and somebody is praying that you’ll come home safely at the end of the shift, we need to be standing here as elected officials and as the community to say thank you,” Carr said.

Raffensperger said, “These are people of honor. They really work hard at what they do, and they really are working hard for us. They’re true public servants.”

There was a raffle at the event and an estimated $8,000 to $10,000 is expected to be donated to Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes.

“Our sheriffs keep us safe every day in our communities,” Senator Blake Tillery said. “But what you may not know is that they spend a lot of time doing other things to help foster care in our state. Supporting Sheriff’s Youth Homes is so vitally important.”