IMPD recruits surprise 7-year-old at graduation ceremony
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A special moment occurred at Thursday’s graduation ceremony for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department recruits.
Chief Bryan Roach welcomed the 17th recruit class and presented them with their badges this morning. During the ceremony, officers honored 7-year-old Colton Miller. Colton was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in June.
Colton’s mother said he admires police officers and wants to be one when he grows up, so IMPD invited him to the ceremony and presented him with a uniform.
Other future officers said they are excited about making a difference in the city.
Clyde Xavier Ashby said, “I know now more than ever this is definitely what I want to do. I started at the beginning, you have expectations and when you get to work alongside the individuals in this class and everybody has the same goal … it makes you want it even more. I don’t want to let anybody down. I just want to prove that i just want to help.”
In total, 39 badges were given to recruit officers Thursday morning.
The recruits will go through 16 more weeks of field training before officially becoming part of the force.