CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – While many take days off from work to celebrate Thanksgiving, first responders are still on the clock ensuring the safety of their communities. Even so, they still find ways to enjoy the holidays. “Something a little different, my shift did this year is they all got together and put together a potluck. So there was a ham, there was mashed potatoes, some tuna casserole, green bean casserole,” Sergeant Abby Padgett with Clovis Police said. Officers on the night shift continue a tradition of celebrating holidays together. “They had it ready and then they took a quick break together while the other shift is handling calls and we kind of shared a meal together and watched football in the background,” Sgt. Padgett said. Some, hoping to take an evening break to spend Thanksgiving with their families. “They're getting everything put together. I clean the house ahead of time, and then hopefully sometime in the near future, dinner will be ready and I'll get the call to come get some food, hopefully for my break tonight,” Sgt. Padgett said. But other officers don’t have that option. “We have several employees that live out of town that don't have the opportunity to go home for a break,” Sgt. Padgett said. “It's about a 35-minute drive from here. So it's not ideal to go home just because calls for service do happen,” Clovis Patrol Officer Aaron Villarreal said. Despite the distance, Clovis Police are thankful for each other. “It just shows camaraderie, friendship. And we do view this as our second family,” Sgt. Padgett said. “It is pretty nice to sit down with other fellow officers that don't have that opportunity to go home,” Officer Villarreal said. Making the most of the holidays through each department. “For dispatch, who doesn't have to drive around in a patrol car, they were authorized today for kind of a themed night and they were able to wear their pajamas to work.”