CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --Three times a week, Leon Todd, 95, and his friends gather at Cafe Carolina for a cup of coffee. Recently, he got the idea to use the meetup as a way to show appreciation to officers.

"So it just donned on me that this is an opportunity to say thank you to those guys that put their life on the line for us everyday," he said.

Todd then set aside a day earlier this month to invite cops and deputies for a cup of joe. His show of gratitude worked. Officers from Carrboro Police, Chapel Hill Police and the Orange County Sheriff's Office showed up. They spent two hours handshaking, conversing and taking pictures with thankful citizens.

"I think it's great. You know so many times we're often looked at as if we're put in the category where we'll always doing something negative," said Major Lloyd Bradsher with OSCO.

"I think the important thing is to remember we're people. We're community members too. We're out trying to do the best job we can," added CHPD Captain Josh Mecimore.

Todd believed his event was a success and already decided to do it again next year.

"If you can warm an old man's heart. You warmed my heart," he said.