COAL GROVE — Police officers, friends, family and the community came out on Saturday to mark a milestone for the department.

A barbeque was held in Paul Porter Park for the 125th anniversary of the Coal Grove Police Department.

“It’s 125 years that we’ve been serving to protect the citizens of Coal Grove,” police chief Eric Spurlock said. “There’s a lot of rich history in this small village.”

During the picnic, Spurlock was presented with a wooden plaque, made by members of the department, decorated with a black and white flag and signed by the officers.

A blue stripe ran across the middle of the plaque.

“That represents “Blue lives matter,’” Spurlock said. “We have it on our badges.”

He said the picnic was not limited just to the department, and an open invitation had been made to the public, where guests were served and hamburgers and hot dogs from the grill. Many brought covered dishes of their own.

Mayor Larry McDaniel was among those attending.

“I think chief Spurlock tries to have a good relationship with the community and with the officers,” he said.