Longtime luncheon is show of support for police, firefighters

Pat Roeller started the lunches because she was grateful for how police treated her son.

A Miamisburg woman continued a decades old tradition this week, serving lunch to about 30 local police officers, state troopers and firefighters.

Pat Roeller, 66, has kept this tradition alive for 27 years, hosting the event at her house the last 17 years.She was inspired to give back to police after officers in Indianapolis helped her son, Brian Roeller, turn away from drugs and alcohol.

“They took him under their wing,” Roeller said. “They would watch him, and they would stop him if he got out of line.”

Today, Brian Roeller, 46, owns Midwest Supply construction company in Indianapolis.

“He has teenage sons now and keeps them on a narrow path because of what her learned from police officers,” Pat Roeller said.

Larry Dickey, Director of Police Operations at the University of Dayton, said it is good to see citizens who appreciate the risks officers and firefighters take each day to keep the public safe.

“When they are putting out that much effort to show respect and appreciation to law enforcement, I think the best we can do is respond in a positive way,” Dickey said.

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