Six-year-old Isabella Johnson is bringing smiles to law enforcement officers across northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri.
Bella, the daughter of Brandon and Christina Johnson of Pea Ridge, has been visiting police stations and stopping whenever she sees a police officer or deputy to give them a bracelet on which is stamped: "Matthew 5:9" and "Blessed are the Peacemakers."
"I think the Matthew 5:9 project is a very positive thing for law enforcement," Pea Ridge Police Chief Ryan Walker said. "I know the PRPD as well as many other agencies have appreciated the visits from the Johnson family and their continued show of support through the Matthew 5:9 project."
"My dad's friend told him he was doing a little thing like giving police officers bracelets so Daddy wanted to do it and asked if I wanted to help," Bella said.
The first-grader was surprised by a visit at school from deputies from the Benton County Sheriff's Office thanking her for her support and encouragement.
"Police officers are the ones that protect us and make us do the laws and they are the ones that make the ones that don't listen to the law get in jail," she said. Bella expressed excitement that she was invited to the Pea Ridge Police Department Christmas dinner. There she was surprised with a citation making her a junior police officer.
The daddy-daughter team visits police departments around the area giving away bracelets and thanking officers for their service. On a trip to Branson, they saw officers at a convenience store and shared bracelets with them.
"This has been the coolest thing," he said. "It's such a ministry to law enforcement; it's so incredibly big. We've not had any law enforcement officer who has not been receptive. Benton County has been the biggest supporter of our ministry."
The Matthew 5:9 project began in Alabama by Paul Trammel and John Staples and can be found on Facebook at Matthew 5:9 Project. Johnson said Staples used to live in northwest Arkansas. The project began after the police shootings across the country.
Brandon Johnson explained that when he received the first 10 bracelets, he and Isabella stopped by the state police office to share the bracelets.
"I've always had a deep respect for law enforcement," Brandon said, adding that two of his friends when he was growing up were sons of Tim Keck, former Rogers Police chief.
"Growing up with Jeremiah Keck ... his dad, Tim, would come by Westside Elementary School ... I thought that was the coolest thing in life," he said.
"It's important to teach her that respect ... to show her they're the good guys to help and protect," Christina said.
"Part of what we're trying to accomplish is to say 'thank you,' to shake their hands and let them know they're appreciated," Christina said.
"We don't live in a big community," Brandon said. "We want them to know they're supported. They're humans. They're us. They miss school functions because they do things we're not brave enough to do. They're under appreciated and under paid," Brandon said.
Brandon is from Rogers and graduated from Rogers High School in 2000. Christina is from California. The Johnsons are members of New Hope Assembly of God.
Community on 12/28/2016