Flared out at the top, with a shiny sun visor and, in front, a bright polished slightly smaller version of the officer’s badge was worn proudly.

But over the course of time, many departments, including Fort Dodge’s, have gotten away from the caps.

Serving Our Servants — a Christian-centered group of residents dedicated to showing public servants appreciation — hopes to be able to bring them back with their latest project: Tops for Cops.

The group hopes to be able to purchase 40 caps and badges. It needs to raise $5,000 to achieve the goal. Each cap and badge set costs about $120.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen SOS co-founder the Rev. Al Henderson, at left, along with Fort Dodge Assistant Police Chief Roger Porter, right, and SOS members Susie Newsum and Dean Kitley, standing, pose with a vintage police cap and a support decal.

As he looked over one of the old caps, Fort Dodge Assistant Police Chief Roger Porter explained that they’re no longer issued.

“These would be part of the uniform,” he said. “We quit purchasing them for the officers. The few we have are old.”

The caps would not be part of the officers’ daily uniform, they would be worn with their class A dress uniforms.

“The young officers want to look more professional at special events,” he said.

While the desire to have the caps for the officers has been present for years, Porter said that it was Detective Larry Hedlund who proposed bringing the project to SOS.

It fits well with the mission of SOS.

“It’s a good morale booster,” Porter said. “This will make the officers happy.”

SOS member Susie Newsum, of Fort Dodge, was one of the first members to join three years ago when SOS was formed. She heard about the group and was inspired to join while attending one of the department’s Citizens Academies.

“I want to be part of that,” she said.

She’s proud of the many members of the public safety community and will be helping out with the effort to raise funds for the caps and badges.

“These people put their lives on the line 24/7,” she said. “I like to meet them and shake their hand.”

Dean Kitley, of Fort Dodge, is another SOS member who will be helping with the Tops for Cops campaign. He’s been with the group for about a year and a half.

He has a son-in-law who serves as a fireman and, like Newsum, holds emergency and public safety workers in high regard.

“No one gives them enough respect,” he said.

The Rev. Al Henderson, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge, helped found the SOS group. He hopes the public will step up to support the project.

“We are begging for the community’s support,” he said. “If they want to do something for our officers, this is their opportunity.”

It would send a positive message to the officers, he said.

“This is a marvelous opportunity for the community to say; ‘Thanks guys. We’re glad you’re out there for us.”

The group is also in the process of sharing window decals with the SOS logo with local businesses and individuals that have given them support. They are intended for the front doors or window.

He said the decals let the public, and members of the public safety community, know that the business they’re shopping at supports them.

“It would show that the community cares about law enforcement,” Henderson said. “It gives them a little more feeling that the community is behind them.”

Donations to the Tops for Cops project can be sent to St. Paul Lutheran. Henderson said checks should be made out to St. Paul with SOS written on the check’s memo line.

“That goes directly to this fund,” he said.

In addition to the caps and cap badges, Porter is also planning to add service stripes to the officers’ class A uniform. Each stripe would represent four years of service.

Tops for Cops

St. Paul Lutheran Church

400 S. 13th St.

Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Or call 955-7285