All smiles at 'Chief for a Day'

EPHRATA - It's the favorite day of the year for local emergency personnel and one to remember as nine extraordinary children were honored as 'Chief for the Day' during a ceremony at the Grant County Courthouse.

The nine children from across the county, who overcome physical and developmental challenges every day, were escorted to the courthouse in emergency vehicles, lights on and sirens blaring, and met by more than 150 people, including law enforcement, fire personnel and family members.

"I've said it before and I'll say it as long as I'm the one standing up here, this is probably the best day of the year for me in the job that I have," Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo said. "I really appreciate the opportunity to represent the Grant County Sheriff's Office and other emergency services agencies across the county."

In the 13th year of the event, the children were given a uniform and badge, and spent time with the chief of each department represented.

Ephrata Police Chief Mike Warren introduced Maia Wall as the department's chief, presenting her with his stars from his uniform and the traditional model patrol vehicle.

Walker Kleyn served as chief for the Ephrata Fire Department with Chief Jeremy Burns. Walker said the first thing he wanted to do as chief was ride in a fire truck. He was able to do so following the event.

Elijah McClendon represented the Moses Lake Police Department with Chief Dave Ruffin.

For the State Patrol, Issac McClendon, Elijas' brother, served as chief and Raul Barajas represented the Mattawa Police Department with Chief John Turley. Anthony Gonzalez-Maciel served as chief for the Quincy Police Department with Chief Robert Heimbach. For the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Chief Steve Crown presented Kyler Herrin as chief for the day. The Warden Police Department was represented by Rylee Marin and Paxton Prentice served as sheriff for the day for the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Ponozzo, who has organized the event for 12 of the 13 years, said the crowd of about 150 was the largest ever.

The nine chiefs were officially sworn in by Grant County Superior Court Judges Even Sperline, John Antosz and John Knodel!. Yesterday, June 12, 2014, was also proclaimed as "Chief for a Day" by the Board of County Commissioners.

The event is sponsored by the Thomas A. Boruff Foundation, an Ephrata-based non-profit organization focused on assisting special needs children in the U.S. and Mexico.