Mattawa boys set to be Chiefs

MATTAWA - Arthur Gatica and Jose Armando Garcia, a pair of 10-year-olds, will represent the Mattawa Police Department and Grant County Fire District No. 8 at the annual Chief for a Day on Thursday, June 11.

Chief for a Day will be held at the Grant County Courthouse at 2 p.m. The selected boys and girls get to be honorary chiefs of their departments, wearing uniforms of their respective agencies.

Chief for a Day celebrates the lives of nine children from throughout the county, each of whom endures and overcomes considerable physical or developmental challenges every day. Each child is honored and "empowered" as chief of a local law enforcement or fire agency for the duration of the celebration day.

"This is a really great and important occasion, and each year the experience is heartwarming," Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones said. "The public and our partnering agencies always show the greatest support for these special kids."

Mattawa Police Department reserve officer Maybel Pantaleon still remembers choking up at the first Chief in a Day she attended as the office clerk.

"There was this little girl that spoke and said, 'This is the greatest day of my life,'" Pantaleon said. "That was what we wanted, happy kids and smiles."

Public safety agencies from all over Grant County will host this 14th annual Chief for a Day on the front lawn of the Grant County Courthouse, 35 C St-NW, Ephrata.