By Sid Schwartz, The Associated Press
JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) - Austin Lemmer fidgeted with his toy handcuffs as he waited for the squad cars to arrive at the police garage.
“I like police,” the 6-year-old said, toeing the concrete with his Spider-Man shoes. “I’m going to be a cop. That’s my first thing.”
Then Austin snapped to attention and directed a rigid salute toward a squad car pulling into the Janesville police garage. The first-shift officer behind the wheel saluted back. It’s been Austin’s daily ritual for nearly two years.
“He never gets bored with it,” Austin’s father, Tom Lemmer, said. “He said he wants to see them put a bench out there for him-the shift-change bench.”
Police officers didn’t know, at first, what to make of Austin’s daily appearance.
“It was a little strange to see this young man peeking around the corner of the entrance into the garage,” Sgt. Stephen DeWitt said. “At first, everyone was questioning each other as to why this person was watching us.”
The officers didn’t know Austin’s name. They called him, simply, “Shift-change Boy.” But as the months passed, they talked with Austin and invited him to tour the police department. In June, the first- and second-shift officers surprised Austin with a birthday cake and presents in the department briefing room. Chief George Brunner, who now is retired, became one of Austin’s favorites.
“I kind of miss him,” Austin said. “I made him a card.”
He stopped talking as another squad car wheeled into the driveway. Officer Doug Johnson slapped Austin a stinging high five.
“Ouch! I’ve got to quit doing that!” Austin said, shaking his hand.
Austin is fascinated with all things law enforcement. On a recent trip to the Wisconsin Dells, his father said, he didn’t comment about any of the tourist attractions but shouted out when he spotted the Wisconsin Dells Police Department.
During the Rock County 4-H Fair, Austin sat in the law enforcement tent and handed out sticker badges. When he won a stuffed animal, he picked Sylvester the Cat wearing a police cap and gave it to officer James Conley.
Austin’s mother, Marcia, helped Austin make a computer homepage decorated with police stuff. Austin’s bedroom door is half covered with junior officer stickers.
When the city broke ground Aug. 16 for a new police department, police administration invited Austin.
“His only question about the new department was, ‘Where’s the garage door?”’ his father said.
As another squad car wheeled toward the garage, Austin didn’t salute and didn’t extend his hand for a high five. He set his jaw, clenched his fists and bugged out his eyes. Officer Todd Bailey returned the “really mean look.”
“You’re going to pop a blood vessel doing that,” his father joked. Austin laughed.
By 3:05 p.m., all the squad cars were in the garage. Austin and his parents walked home. But Austin will be back every day, at least until school starts. He’s going to be a first-grader at Washington Elementary School. DeWitt said officers will miss seeing Austin.
“Austin’s presence seems to make shift change a little better,” DeWitt said. “Officers are a little friendlier after seeing Austin smile and wave, and I think without knowing it Austin sends the officers out on the street in a little better mood than they might have if he wasn’t there.”