LAKELAND, Fla. — On nights and weekends, Kevin Turner and his son, 10-year-old Jacob, are in the family's garage-turned-workshop.
The duo spends hours every week crafting wooden flags honoring first responders and the 'thin blue line.'
FLAGS FOR FALLEN OFFICERS: Jacob, 10, and his dad show us how they honor first responders. Tonight they're working on flag for fallen @HighCoSheriff Dep. Gentry. We profile their work at 11 on @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/lfQUZaNZO5
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) May 15, 2018
"It's more respect than anything else," said Turner.
On Christmas Day, Jacob surprised a Polk County deputy with his first flag.
"Respecting your police officers that risk their lives for you every day," said Jacob.
Since then, the Turners have been constructing their wooden flags, then search for on-duty officers to present them with their patriotic gift.
"He's like a little kid in a candy store, you know, bouncing back from one officer going to the truck, getting the flag and then going to the other one," said Turner.
Kevin and Jacob have made more than two dozen flags for officers across the Polk County community.
"They were shocked and all of them are," said Turner.
ABC Action News was there Monday night watching them make, potentially, their most important flags to date.
The two flags are heading to Highlands County on Tuesday, dedicated to the sheriff's office there and Deputy William Gentry's family.
- Fallen Highlands County Deputy William Gentry, Jr. to be laid to rest on Tuesday
- In death, fallen Highlands County Deputy saves 6 lives as an organ donor
- Highlands County deputy dies after he was shot in the head in Lake Placid
- Community remembers Highlands County deputy killed in the line of duty
Gentry died after being shot while responding to a call for service in Lake Placid May 6.
"It's sad you got to keep such a high guard," said Turner. "Because you never know what's going to happen."
Turner says "Flags for First Responders" is a chance to bond with his son, while Jacob learns an important lesson about a hero who gave his life protecting others.
