Adopt-A-Cop program spreads thanks to Johnston County officers

Johnston County 911 dispatcher Joi McLamb says law enforcement officers do not get the respect they deserve and she wants to do something about it.

“The general public does not see what we see,” she said. “There has been a lot of prayers said for my deputies from behind that mic.”

McLamb has been a dispatcher for 17 years. She knows the officers she works with personally and, on any given day, will send them into a dangerous situation.

‘People don’t call 911 for when they are having a good day,” McLamb said.

McLamb is stepping out from behind the microphone to make sure everybody sees what she sees. She’s asking people to adopt one of her cops as a way of saying thank you.

“Sit down and write a letter of appreciation or a thank you card to that officer,” she said. “Just anything to say thank you.”

McLamb plans to adopt out all officers in Johnson County including police, troopers, deputies and animal control, and she’s looking for residents who want to make an adoption.

“They become like family,” she said.

The Adopt-A-Cop program is already up and running in other places, including eastern North Carolina.