Different highlights throughout the week keep officers with the Noel Marshal's Office motivated.
"There is no one thing," said Officer Cambria Howard. "It's a bunch of little things."
Part of the reward is making sure that every call and every emergency is handled efficiently.
The calls can sometimes be challenging. The community has evolved to encompass a diverse population with different cultures. Because of a language barrier, officers oftentimes don't know the actual nature of the call until they arrive, said Noel Marshal Paul Gardner.
Families and friends sometimes serve as translators. When a translator is not present, officers do their best to communicate effectively.
"We always find a workaround," Gardner said.
The department averages 15 to 20 calls daily and is on track to average 1,500 to 1,800 calls this year, he said.
From everything to a domestic disturbance to a noise complaint, officers work within the city limits of Noel to maintain safety and protect citizens.
With the assistance of the McDonald County Sheriff's Office, Gardner's office provides full-service law enforcement 24 hours a day, he said.
Officers assist the community in a lot of ways, sometimes providing comfort and a presence of safety. Officer Randy Wilson carries children's coloring books in his bag to help facilitate conversations and help interactions go smoothly.
Officer Rhonda Wise carries stickers with her.
The officers want the community to know they care and try to serve everyone in their time of need.
Despite challenges, officers say providing help is the driving force.
"It's worth going to every day," Howard said.
During Gardner's seven years as a marshal, he's learned that the work is rewarding for officers in different ways.
"Everybody has their own reasons," he said. "It's more than just a job."
General News on 10/18/2018