PASCO, Wash. -- Deputy Jason Nunez carries a card with good wishes in the right breast pocket of his Franklin County sheriff's uniform.
He's one of about 120 police officers in an Adopt-A-Cop program run by the Faith Assembly Christian Center in Pasco, Wash., according to The Associated Press.
The 7-year-old outreach program began with congregants praying for 23 Franklin County sheriff's deputies. Now, they pray for officers on assignments as diverse as patrolling prisons, highways and airports.
Janet Hughlett, coordinator of the Faith Assembly program, regularly approaches officers she's never met to find out if they'd like to be adopted. At least 10 other churches -- inspired by Hughlett's work -- have begun similar outreach, according to the AP.
Cpl. John Probasco of Pasco Police Department has kept the 50 or so cards he's received from the church during the past few years. After he was shot in the chest while on duty, he reread the cards while he recuperated.
``It just does me good to see that kids and adults both at that church are pulling your name and praying for you while you're on the line out here. People who don't know you will send you a card,' Probasco said. ``It's really neat, and I appreciate it.'
