When James Evans brought a loaded AR-15 outside of his local police station in Spledndora, Texas, his only goal was to provide support.
“I wanted to show police that civilians stood by them, that they aren’t alone,” He told the Montgomery County Police Reporter. “I am tired of seeing officers slain for doing their job.”
Shortly after James arrived with a pair of his friends, Roger Tarrant and Paul Wilson, local business owners and other citizens started showing up with food and bottled water for the volunteer guards. “We had to put some of the food on the hood of our truck just so people would know that we were good,” James said.
Roman Forest Police Chief Stephen Carlisle came out to thank the men for their gesture which was also noticed and appreciated by the Splendora Police Department. Chief Carlisle stayed to pose for a few photographs and chat with the three men standing guard in the Texas sun.
Drivers honked their horns in support and passers-by stopped for photographs. “It’s awesome, what they are doing,” said Shaylie Wright, another local supporter. The three men spent the morning with the Patton Village Police Department before moving camp to the Splendora Police Department that afternoon.
While some argue that the police do not need protection, Evans, Tarrant, and Wilson believe what they are doing is even more important than providing security. They are reminding everyone that the citizens of Montgomery County, Texas stand in full support of their law enforcement officers.