For the second year in a row, Dutro Ford Lincoln Inc. hosted a cookout for the Zanesville Police Department in honor of National Police Week, but this year, the cookout was a little more personal.

Mark Falls, General Sales Manager for Dutro Ford in Downtown Zanesville, was one of 17 people hand-picked to participate in the inaugural 10 week-long Zanesville Citizens Police Academy.

As the academy concluded last week, Falls said the cookout had a better turnout Wednesday as he’s become friends with many of the men and women involved in law enforcement.

“I think it was a newfound respect after being apart of the police academy,” Falls said. “I think everybody that was involved in that would probably say it was a new found respect, and I appreciate what they do. We’re their neighbors, we try to take care of them, they try to take care of us — it’s just always been that way.”

After lunch, Falls recognized the ZPD with an award of thanks for their dedication to keeping the community safe. Captain Chris Phipps accepted the award on behalf of ZPD Chief Tony Coury.

In order to financially assist future Zanesville Citizens Police Academies, Falls is donating a portion of the funds from every vehicle sold by Dutro Ford, throughout National Police Week, to a fund hosted by the Muskingum County Community Foundation.

“I think it makes it a little tighter niche in the whole city,” Falls said of the academy.

Wednesday, May 15, was also National Peace Officers Memorial Day.