Recent events across the country have made police even more of a target than they have been in the past.  And along with the heightened tensions – and hysterical, anti-police rhetoric – there has been a public backlash where some people have decided to ostracize police.

There was a couple in Pennsylvania who refused to sit next to four policemen, making clear their hatred.  In response, the cops paid for the couple's meal:

The guy looks over at one of the police officers and was like, 'Nah I don't want to sit here.' So they got moved completely opposite, away from the police officers," restaurant server Jesse Meyers told CNN affiliate WTAE.

"I looked over and said, 'It's okay sir. You won't have to worry about it, we won't hurt you," Homestead police Officer Chuck Thomas said. "He looked at me hard again and said he's not sitting here and walked away."

Then the officers, fully cognizant of the recent heightened tensions between police and the communities they serve, had an idea. They'd counteract this rude brush off with a random act of kindness.

The officers paid the couple's $28.50 bill, and left this note on the receipt:

"Sir, your check was paid for by the police officers you didn't want to sit next to. Thank you for your support."

Boom. They even took care of the tip.

In the state of Washington, one restaurant owner took the snubbing of cops a step farther.  He told some sheriff's deputies that they and their fellow officers were not welcome in his diner:

A Washington sheriff shared an incident on the department's Facebook page that is stirring outrage in the community. Sheriff Will Reichardt of Skagit County says his deputies were asked to stop dining at Lucky Teriyaki in Sedro-Woolley, Wash. 

According to Reichardt's post, the owner told officers that other customers did not appreciate their presence.

The chief deputy says he spoke with the restaurant owner to clarify this request, and the owner not only confirmed that he asked the four officers not to return - he asked that the message be passed along to other law enforcement that they would not be welcome at Lucky Teriyaki.

The sheriff was appalled:

This afternoon 4 Skagit County Sheriff’s office deputies were finishing up lunch at Lucky’s. As 2 deputies went up to pay they were informed by the owner that he requested they not eat there anymore. They were told that other customers didn’t like law enforcement there. My chief deputy spoke to the owner to confirm this because he simply could not believe what he was hearing. The owner not only repeated the request but asked that we spread the word to other law enforcement that they were no longer welcome either.

I understand a business owner has a right to refuse service if he wants to…….I also understand that as customers we all have the right to find some other restaurant to take our lunch break in.

The owner speaks for a minority of citizens, but it's still disturbing.  This is especially true when you consider what the attitude of the owner and those customers would be if they ever found themselves in a situation where law enforcement would save their lives.  "No thanks, I'll just let this robber shoot me" would probably not be their response.

As for the cops, it doesn't matter who needs help; they'll be there, facing danger to protect and serve.  The owner of that restaurant deserves a boycott and a quick bankruptcy.  Being that shortsighted and judgmental should have consequences.