A welcome thank-you note
Many NJ State PBA members probably recognize the patriotic
message of the thank-you letter addressed to law enforcement
displayed here.
Some law enforcement officers mayhave received a copy in
a package sent to their departments. Others have been hand-
ed the letter in person by John and Barbara Giarretta, who ap-
proach officers on road details or in the community with their
hands up before presenting them with the heartfelt thank-you
note.
John Giarretta’s quest to thank law enforcement agencies
across the U.S. began years ago, when the Green Brook resident
got sick of seeing officers being ambushed and killed simply for
wearing a uniform. The couple worked together to draft a letter
that would let officers know that they were appreciated, and that
their hard work was valued.
“I sent them out every day,” Giarretta explained. “I sent them
to everybody: the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, every state and law
enforcement agency you can think of.”
To date, the Giarrettas have sent more than 7,500 letters. That
number increases daily, as Giarretta adds agencies from across
the country to a growing checklist of places where he has spread
his appreciation.
“I just want to pump them up and let them know that people
care about them,” Giarretta stated. “There’s no other way of put-
ting it other than that I want to thank them.”
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ OCTOBER 2018
The officers in Giarretta’s hometown in Somerset County feel
especially lucky to serve in a community where the law enforce-
ment enthusiasts can show up at any time. Green Brook Local
398 State Delegate Christopher Auriano has been the recipient
of Giarretta’s gratitude multiple times during the five years that
he’s worked in the town. The gesture has become a guaranteed
pick-me-up.
“We are very pleased that a resident of our town supports
law enforcement as much as these individuals,” Auriano urged.
“They’re great assets for us.”
In August, Giarretta sent the letter to the NJ State PBA execu-
tive board. A note enclosed with the letter shared details of the
campaign to thank law enforcement officers.
The uplifting message stood out in the pile of mail to the PBA,
especially during a time when the men and women who serve
are often scrutinized for the jobs they do. President Pat Colligan
saw the note one morning and immediately wrote back to Gia-
rretta to share his sincere gratitude on behalf of the entire PBA.
“You get bombarded by bad stories about law enforcement,
bombarded by people who hate the police,” Colligan reasoned.
“So, to sit there to go through our morning mail and get this is
refreshing. I didn’t want it to go unanswered. Somebody took
the effort to care about us. I wanted to let them know we appre-
ciate it.”