His dad was killed in the line of duty earlier this year.
A procession of police cars drove up to a California elementary school, all to drop off 4-year-old Greggorio Casillas, whose police officer dad died in the line of duty, to his first day of class.
The kindergartener’s dad, Greggory Casillas, a Pomona police officer, died in the line of duty in March.
“The first day of school can be hard enough for a child but it can be especially hard for a child following the death of a parent,” Pomona Police Chief Mike Oliveri told KCBS.
That’s why he enlisted his department to give little Greggorio a send-off to remember.
A team of police cruisers and motorcycles with sirens blaring arrived at Citrus Elementary School in Upland Wednesday.
When it was time to go Inside, Greggorio held his mom with one hand, and the police chief with the other.
“We hope little Greggorio’s first day of school is one he will remember forever, and when he gets older, will understand just how much his father’s sacrifice meant to all of us," Oliveri said.
Citrus Elementary School Principal Mario Carranza added, "It was emotional, but it was heartwarming."
In fact, the fanfare caught the attention of sixth-grader Jayden Hetman, who said he’s now excited to be Greggorio’s friend.
“If I get a chance, I want to show him around the school,” he said.
RELATED STORIES
