"I'm on your side:" Young brothers in Racine saying 'thank you' to officers, deputies in unique way
RACINE -- Two boys in Racine are saying 'thank you' to police officers and sheriff's deputies in a unique way.
"The world`s going crazy -- and the police need something to save their lives," Marcelino McKinney said.
Marcelino McKinney
Eight-year-old McKinney and his brother, 11-year-old Michael McAllister said they're heartbroken by recent attacks against police officers across the country.
"You hear on TV all these people killing the cops, you want to tell them that you`re on their side," McAllister said.
Since the attack in Dallas that took the lives of five officers on July 7th, the brothers have reached out to nearly 70 police officers, deputies and firefighters -- offering them gifts of thanks.
"I said 'keep this in your pocket so you can be safe,'" McKinney said.
Marcelino McKinney
Michael McAllister and Marcelino McKinney
McKinney hands out crosses -- some wooden and some plastic to let officers know someone cares. McAllister has spent countless hours making black and blue bracelets.
"When you keep this on your wrist, you just remember that I`m on your side," McAllister said.
PHOTO GALLERY
The brothers have made a big impact on law enforcement officials -- who have posed for pictures with the boys.
Racine Police Sgt. Walter Powell stopped by their home on Wednesday, July 20th to say thank you.
Marcelino McKinney
"I carry this notepad around with me everywhere I go -- so I`ll always have this with me," Powell said.
The boys also got Racine Police Department badges and flashlights.
"What you are doing is worth more than the cross and the wristband to us," Powell said.
"When a young child takes the time to do that gesture, it really restores your faith. It`s been a tough month for law enforcement," Racine Police Chief Art Howell said.
Chief Howell said the boys were recently invited to the department's roll call so everyone on the force could meet them.
Marcelino McKinney
"From the mouths of babes. They`re showing us the way if we would just listen," Chief Howell said.
The boys have been invited back for roll call because some officers didn't get to meet them the first time. Chief Howell said this time, there will be pizza.
Representatives from the Racine Police Department said the boys' gestures truly mean a lot.