The afternoon of Wednesday, April 27, the Gene Bianchi Community Center in Oakdale was filled with law enforcement officers representing organizations including the Oakdale Police Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, and California Highway Patrol.

The event was hosted by the Oakdale Rotary Club with assistance from the Oakdale Soroptimist organization and the Oakdale Lions Club.

Rotary Club President Marcus Haney said about 200 people attended to show their appreciation for the officers and indulge in a catered lunch served up by House of Beef.

Haney made some brief remarks at the event, as did local pastor Henry Raven. After not being able to have the Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon due to pandemic restrictions the past couple of years, Haney said he was glad to see a good turnout at the luncheon.

The goal, he noted, was to not only give appreciation to the local officers but to also recognize the dedication and service to the community that officers at the various law enforcement agencies provide on a daily basis.

“Oakdale has the history of being a close knit community, full of people that respect and appreciate law enforcement,” Haney stated. “This is not only important to the officers, but also to local businesses and adults to give examples of respect and appreciation.”

The event was first hosted in 2018.