- November 21, 2024
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For James Salazar, owner of Salazar’s Painting in Palm Coast, honoring and supporting law enforcement has a different meaning than it does for most people.
But most people don’t spend 11.5 years in a state prison.
Twenty years after his conviction, Salazar has been quietly donating his services to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, since 2021, to paint a deputy’s home for free each year. He calls the initiative "Paint the County Blue."
“The largest portion of this is I felt led by Christ to do this,” he said. “To be in a position where I am a business owner, but I can give back and show the love, mercy and grace of God to the peacemakers.”
Salazar was convicted of an aggravated assault charge in 2003 in Vermont. He served 11.5 years in a state prison in Kentucky. During his time there, he said, he was one of those inmates who would disrespect and fight with the guards.
It wasn’t until three years before he was released that he said he found Christ and was able to turn his life around. Now, as a business owner, Salazar said, he just wants to be able to give back to law enforcement for their service in any way he can.
Salazar married his wife, Maria, in 2017 and has operated his home improvement business since 2019. So far, he has painted five deputies’ homes for free: one each in 2021, 2022 and 2023 during Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, plus two others in 2023 as well.
Maria Salazar said that when her husband came to her with the idea, she was a little nervous about losing out on a potential paid job while the family was still recovering from the pandemic.
“I was like, 'We don't have the money. I love the idea, I want to help, but I don’t know how we’re going to swing it,'” she said.
But swing it they did. The FCSO held a drawing during Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, and Paint the County Blue has since become an annual donation at the FCSO.
The initiative has two regulations: The recipient must work at the FCSO in some capacity — not just as deputies — and they must own their home.
Salazar said offering to paint the home of a deputy doesn’t just honor the deputy’s service and sacrifices, but that of the deputy’s family, too, which is just as important.
“Without them being willing to sacrifice their husband or their wives for the work that they do, I mean, we wouldn't be where we're at,” he said.
Without them being willing to sacrifice their husband or their wives for the work that they do, I mean, we wouldn't be where we're at.”
— JAMES SALAZAR, owner of Salazar's Painting
Cmdr. Mike Lutz said Salazar came to the FCSO unsolicited. Even in a supportive community like Flagler County, it is always nice when members of the community reach out like Salazar has to show their appreciation, Lutz said.
“We and they [the deputies] especially are very appreciative,” he said. “[Painting a house], that's a major expense and, you know, law enforcement, we're not in it for the money.”
The initiative has gotten enough attention that fellow members of the Home Builders Association — Hulbert Homes and Thomas Consulting and Construction — worked with Salazar to offer the 2023 Law Enforcement Appreciation Week recipient a master bedroom renovation as well. Sherwin Williams paint stores in the area have also donated 15 gallons of paint toward each recipient's home since 2022.
Salazar said he wants to expand the initiative with “Paint the County Red,” for the local fire departments. He’s also working with several others to start a 501c3 nonprofit to help disabled veterans receive home repairs.
This actually shows that people can turn their life around, can be a success.”
— MIKE LUTZ, FCSO commander
Lutz said Salazar is a good example of how people do not have to stay on the same track for their entire life.
“This actually shows that people can turn their life around, can be a success,” Lutz said. “You can be that person, and then you don't have to be that person for the rest of your life.”
Salazar said he would not call himself a good example. He just wants to be able to give back, even if it's “a little pebble in a small pond.”
“I'm just somebody who, while I was in prison ... gave my life to Jesus,” he said. “Back then, I was [violent and dangerous]. But who I am now through Christ is a lot different.”
