Dozens of Jones County residents gathered on the parking lot of the Jones County Sheriff’s Department Saturday for an afternoon of fun, games and fellowship.

It was all a part of the Jones County Sheriff Department’s Second Annual Community Appreciation Day. The event is design to show the community how much the department appreciates their assistance and support.

Those in attendance were treated to free hot dogs, drinks and dessert. There were also fun jumps for the children’s enjoyment, a book give-away and opportunities for children to get identification tags and finger printing.

“I have been given the opportunity to be a positive leader for the community and I don’t take that lightly,” said Sheriff Alex Hodge. “My PaPa (grandfather), Wilson Hodge, told me I was going to be the sheriff one day.

“He always told me, ‘you have got to make the position, don’t let the position make you’,” continued Hodge. “That’s why I always try to do what is right. I know God is going to hold me accountable for everything I say and do.”

An ordained Southern Baptist preacher, Hodge said he seeks God’s guidance everyday and doesn’t mind letting anyone know it. “I’m a sinner saved by grace,” added Hodge. “I won’t deny who I am.”

Hodge believes that’s one of the reasons the Sheriff’s Department has had so much success. “I know God had a hand in putting me in this position,” he added. “He also had a hand in sending a good group of godly young men and women to work along beside me in this department.”

Hodge’s acknowledgment of God in his work is one of the reasons 14-year-old McArthur Gandy of Laurel decided to attend “Community Appreciation Day.” Also an ordained Baptist preacher, Gandy said “I think Sheriff Hodge and his staff is doing a great job.

“This is a great event for people to get to know him and everybody that work at the Sheriff’s Department. I just wanted to show them that I appreciate them and the work they are doing. We pray that God will continue to bless them.”

Eighteen-year-old Larry Tillman agreed. “He is doing an outstanding job at being the sheriff of Laurel, Mississippi and Jones County,” he said. “I hope he has another year in office because he’s a great man.”

Older adults attending the event shared the sentiments of the teens. Soso resident Eddie Travis, who said he was brought up in the 1960’s “where he saw police officers and sheriff’s deputies harass and beat people,” praised the work of Hodge and his administration.

“I can honestly say that under this administration, the deputies are more respectful,” said Travis, a member of the Jones County NAACP. “They seem like they are more friends to the people and that they care about them. Sheriff Hodge is doing a good job and should be commended.”

Hodge noted that Community Appreciation Day is not about him or the department. “It’s about the people in the community,” he said. “We wanted to have an opportunity to fellowship with them, for us to get to know them and for them to know us.”

Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Barbara Hinton said the event also gives employees an opportunity to fellowship with one another. It also gives them an opportunity to meet their co-worker s families.

“It’s a great environment for everyone and I appreciate the Sheriff for doing it,” she said.