Officers representing every law enforcement agency in Cole County braved below-freezing temperatures starting early Tuesday morning on the roof of the entrance at Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City as part of the annual Cops on Tops fundraiser.
They will stay there until noon today to raise money for Special Olympics Missouri.
Jefferson City police officer Adam Lueckenhoff is not unaccustomed to taking to a high spot to help raise funds for Special Olympics. He's participated in similar events at Dunkin' Donuts on Missouri Boulevard in recent years.
"We do this because it's a cause near and dear to our hearts," Lueckenhoff said. "It all goes to a great cause."
Joining Lueckenhoff were Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler, Department of Corrections case manager Adam Koestner, Sgt. Tracy Jamison of Capitol Police, Jeanna Mendez of the Lincoln University Police and Ashley Klempke of the Missouri Highway Patrol.
"We all got a lot of support from each of our agencies to do this," Lueckenhoff said. "I do worry with the weather about people coming out to give donations, but in the years where we've had bad weather, the people still come."
The group is looking to raise $5,000 while they're on the roof.
Lueckenhoff said people who want to donate but can't make it to the event can donate at somo.org.