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Police officers are committed to “protect and serve,” but few could have imagined that might mean protecting elderly people against a dangerous contagion or serving shut-ins by delivering drugs.

But that’s one way the coronavirus has changed this community.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the Nicholasville Police Department posted on its Facebook page that it would pick up and deliver to homes prescription medicines for city residents 60 and older who have transportation issues.

The medicines have to be paid for first, and the deliveries are made only Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the administrative staff is on duty.

The officers are leaving the medications at the door or on the porch to avoid physical contact and putting their own health at risk.

Sgt. Kevin Grimes, the department’s public information officer, said only a few have asked for the service so far, but when The Jessamine Journal called him Monday, he had just delivered some medicines for a woman who was unable to get out.

All Grimes needed was her name, address, birthday and pharmacy.

Twenty minutes later, the woman’s problem was solved.

“We know there are people having to stay in the house more, and we know that some of our elderly are even more afraid to go out, so if we can limit their exposure” to the coronavirus, Grimes said in a phone interview, “we thought that would be a good thing to do.”

They can get the things they need to stay well and reduce their risk of getting the illness, he said.

In the comments on the Facebook post, several people expressed their gratitude for what the police were doing.

One former New Yorker, Hollyanne Kaczamarek Gallo, commended the police officers for going above and beyond what was expected of them in a difficult time.

Richard Allen Mahan said he used to be one who helped others, but because of his health issues, police officers now help him and check on his wellbeing, and he appreciates that.

“Bless all of you for your love, hard work and sacrifices,” said Elaine Thomas Lambka.