Hampton, Va. - With a click of his camera, 76-year-old Cary Koronas wants to show his city making him proud.
He's taking photos of a homemade memorial right outside the Hampton Police Department.
"I want to post them on Facebook so people would realize that this community cares about their police officers," Koronas said.
It honors the two officers who were killed in New York over the weekend, plus shows Hampton police how much their work is appreciated.
Koronas feels that appreciation too. He is a retired Hampton police officer who served nearly 30 years.
"It was my job to protect, and I just wasn't the kind to be scared much of anything. [I feel] a sense of pride. I'm proud to be a retired Hampton police officer," he said.
The memorial he's photographing started out with just one wreath. It was put there by Hampton Police Chief Terry Sult's wife.
"She's a police officer's wife first and foremost, so it's just touching," Cpl. Mary Shackelford told NewsChannel 3.
In just a few days, it turned into a large memorial. There's even a tree with ornaments that read, "keep our officers safe."
It prompted Koronas to take his photos.
When I came by yesterday, I was kind of astonished. It's pleasing to know the citizens of Hampton care about their police officers. There's a sense of gratitude for those who have lost their lives," Koronas said.
Plus, that sense of pride that he says he'll never lose.
