VALDOSTA — Cass Burch Automotive Group hosted a Back the Blue luncheon Tuesday for the Valdosta Police Department.

General Manager Bobby Joseph said Cass Burch held the luncheon because of events throughout the nation. 

“We are blessed to have such a highly reputable police department in our hometown,” Joseph said. “We feel like it starts at the top, with (Police Chief Brian Childress). Childress sets the tone. He goes out of his way to communicate with the community.”

With the officer deaths around the country, “I fear the day these officers don’t have the courage to get up in the morning and go to work,” Burch said. 

“It is our job to encourage them,” he said. “They don’t do it for the money.”

Childress presented Burch, Joseph and Sales Manager Candy Balmer with Friend of the Chief coins as a way to say thank you for their support of the Valdosta Police Department. 

The Cass Burch Automotive Group also donates to the Christmastime Shop with a Cop and other programs that benefit underprivileged children, the chief said. 

“We just want to say thank you,” Joseph said

The lunch included various types of fish, hush puppies, French fries, cheese grits, cole slaw and a Back the Blue cake for dessert. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1256.