By Joanna Putman
Police1
DALLAS — Members of law enforcement escorted the son of a fallen Dallas police officer to his first day of kindergarten, WFAA reported.
Nico DeLaRocha, starting his first day of school, was accompanied by officers from the Dallas Police Department and Sunnyvale Police Department, including the department’s mounted patrol. The officers gathered to honor the memory of Nico’s father, Dallas police Sr. Cpl. Jose DeLaRocha, who passed away suddenly last August, according to the report.
“It’s a big day for him. It’s kindergarten, and we wanted to come out and show our support,” said Dallas police Sgt. George Aranda.
Sr. Cpl. DeLaRocha died of a heart attack last year while playing with Nico, leaving his family and colleagues grieving. To ensure Nico knew he was not alone, the officers stepped in to escort him to his first day of class.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who held Nico’s hand as they walked to school, expressed the department’s commitment to supporting Nico and his family.
“Walking this little boy to school, holding his hand, the smile on his face, I hope he always knows we are family,” Garcia said. “I know as a father, his dad would have given anything to be here, so I know he’s looking down and he’s smiling today.”