Texas officers escort son of fallen LEO on first day of kindergarten

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.

Trending

Police Recruitment

‘More than just a structure': Fla. police unveil new $165M headquarters

The new Fort Lauderdale Police station, designed to withstand a category five hurricane, offers an open-air courtyard, community center and a state-of-the-art CSI lab

September 12, 2026 07:00 AM

September 11, 2001

‘It was surreal': LEO was 2 days into NYPD training when 9/11 attacks threw him into action

Tom DaCosta was an NYPD recruit working a night shift at the academy; then, two days later, he was patrolling Grand Central Terminal, watching for signs of terrorism

September 12, 2026 08:00 AM

Animal Control

Video: Police nab ‘cat burglar’ in Wash. home

Using a drone, Kirkland Police captured video showing that the intruder was actually a bobcat; the animal was captured and released into the wild

September 13, 2026 08:00 AM

Gun Legislation and Law Enforcement

Minn. laws allowed a mass shooter to renew gun permit

A harassment restraining order was granted against Carlton Johnson II in 2023 after allegations that he sexually assaulted and threatened to kill a woman

September 13, 2026 07:00 AM

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.”