By Eric Burk
eric@gilavalleycentral.net
SAFFORD – “Protect and serve” is a standard law enforcement motto, and Friday local law enforcement and corrections officers practiced a different kind of service at the Tip-A-Cop hosted by El Charro.
The civil servants volunteered to wait tables at El Charro, where they earned $2,277.21 in tips, which will fund the local Special Olympics. There were two shifts, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and from 5 – 8 p.m. About 15 volunteers manned each shift.
David Adams is a parole officer when he isn’t waiting tables. He started running the area fundraising two years ago and has since come to enjoy it. Adams oversees the three Special Olympics fundraisers in the area, including the T-shirt sale held earlier in the year and the upcoming Torch Run on May 1.
Eric Burk Photo/Gila Valley Central: David Adams, center left, leads a happy birthday celebration for an El Charro customer.
Adams uses his professional connections to encourage law enforcement and corrections staff to volunteer. Without the fundraisers, the Monument Area Special Olympics would lose multiple events, including bowling and swimming.
“I just like helping out kids and athletes,” Adams said. “I’ve always believed sports help people.”
Adams hoped to earn $3,000. At lunch time, not including tips from credit cards, Adams estimated they had earned around $1,500. Customers filled the restaurant to maximum capacity three times during the lunch shift. Adams said people left large tips.
“I’ve seen $200 (and) $100 (tips),” Adams said.
Eric Burk Photo/Gila Valley Central: Arizona State Prison Complex – Safford Corrections Officer Colvin carries drinks to a table.
Most customers seemed surprised to see the unusual wait staff. Brad Bigler and his family were celebrating his 37th birthday. Bigler said the service was good and he would attend a restaurant that regularly staffed officers – as long as they had someone else cook.
“It was unique,” Bigler said.
Safford Police Sergeant Jason Dolan said the event was a good opportunity to serve the community and show people a different side of local corrections and law enforcement. The officer’s parents owned El Charro until a few years ago, and he grew up working in the restaurant. Nevertheless, Dolan reassured several customers that he was definitely not doing any cooking.
“This is hard work,” Dolan said. “I really appreciate the staff for their support.”
Eric Burk Photo/Gila Valley Central: Graham County Undersheriff Jeff McCormies checks on a table at El Charro.
Customer Malyn Sexton enjoyed her lunch and said she would support a law-enforcement-run restaurant.
“It was actually pretty good, for cops,” Sexton said.
Wanda Pease and her family enjoyed their meal, and said they had fun. Pease said the officers were good servers.
“They did fantastic,” Pease said. “They ought to just keep them on.”
Eric Burk Photo/Gila Valley Central: The lunch shift of Tip-A-Cop volunteers pose with their earnings.
Agencies that participated included the Graham County Sheriff’s Office, the Safford and Pima Police departments and the Arizona State Prison Complex-Safford. Adams said the owners of El Charro enjoy hosting the event and asked him multiple times during the last year when the next Tip-A-Cop would occur.
