Early — The patrol vehicles of the Early Police Department will have their backs covered.
After receiving approval from the City of Early last week, EPD was able to have ‘In God We Trust’ decals affixed to its vehicles’ rears Wednesday outside the station.
Aaron McNeely and Shelley Pulley of Willie’s T’s in Brownwood helped place the decals that display the nation’s motto onto the sports utility vehicle units.
“We had been looking for something to come up with, and this is what we need to represent our Christian-based community,” said police chief David Mercer.
During the Nov. 10 council meeting, board members allowed Mercer to have the decals be placed onto the six SUV units, including his.
Officer Michelle Sheedy said she is glad that the department received the decals.
“This is something we definitely support,” Sheedy said. “Having the decals and our faith is what can help us get through the night (while on the job).”
In early September, complaints were drawn from a watchdog group in the Panhandle town of Childress when the same decals were put on the vehicles of that city’s police department, saying that the decals amount to an illegal government endorsement of religion.
Earlier this month, Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a legal opinion, spurned arguments that the decals improperly mixed religion and government by endorsing a certain point of view.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a legal opinion, gave his approval of the affixed decals statewide. He said, “If the Childress Police Department chooses to continue this patriotic display, it will have my full support.