‘It’s absolutely amazing every time’

EPHRATA — The children chosen as Chief(s) for a Day get to do some pretty cool things. They get a ride in a fire truck or police vehicle, they get a badge, they get a uniform representing their agency in just their size — which in the case of Candace Shearer, chief for the Washington State Patrol, means she got one of those really cool hats. 

Alex Gutierrez, Chief for a Day for the Ephrata Police Department, really loves the Paw Patrol, and one of the puppies in the Paw Patrol stopped by to say hello to him. But Alex was skeptical of that big brown dog. Very skeptical. He was not at all sure he wanted to high-five that dog. 

Locklan Talton, Soap Lake Police Department’s Chief for a Day, was sure. He ran all the way across the Grant County Courthouse lawn for a Paw Patrol hug. 

Locklan’s transitional kindergarten class was there to see him sworn in, and as his classmates got on the bus, Locklan turned back to the big brown dog.

“Bye, Paw Patrol,” he said. “Bye.” 

Chief for a Day is for children who face some challenges in life, sometimes physical, sometimes mental. Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox said it’s good for the children.

“It’s a way to give back to the kids that sometimes may be forgotten, and the ones you don’t see every day,” Cox said. “It’s a day to make them feel special and make them feel like they’re just as ordinary as everybody else, just as special as every other kid we have.”

Grant County Fire District 3 Chief Tony Liebelt went to school with his chief, Kate Moreno. Her class was doing a science experiment, building cages for eggs to see if they could make something that would survive the drop from a height. Liebelt said it’s good for the adults, too.

“For me, we do a lot of things that are not pleasant, out in the field,” Liebelt said. “This gives us an opportunity to engage the community. It’s been a fun day — I’ve had a great day, both with the egg drops this morning and here. It’s a good day when we get to smile and have fun.”

Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete said the children meet the sponsors from their agencies, and have their special badges pinned on by family members. The chiefs and their families all got a look at lots of cool first-response vehicles, police cars, ambulances and fire trucks.

“Then they get a ride in the police cars, turn the lights and sirens on, and drive down in the cars, with (the sponsoring agency), and get their names announced as they walk down and sit in their special chairs,” Kriete said.

“I think it’s important that we recognize not only them, but their families for all the work that they do with their lovely kids,” he said. “And just the fact of seeing the smiles on these kids’ faces today. You can’t replace it. Part of the reason why we do what we do is to give back to the community, and to me, giving back to our children is probably the biggest thing.”

Interim Mattawa Police Chief Alex Zesati said his chief, Angel Benitez, now really understands that he’s safe with the guys and girls in blue. 

“His reaction was phenomenal,” Zesati said.

Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Sands is a Chief for a Day veteran and said it’s always an important day for the children.

“When (MLPD chief Cheyenne Aubart)  got in the car and said it was all about her, and the smile on her face — that was all you needed. I don’t know how you put that into words. You can’t put that into words. But it’s absolutely amazing every time,” Sands said.

Royal City was represented by Chief Hernan Fabian, the Moses Lake Fire Department by Ben Goebel, Warden by Gregoriro Acero, and the Ephrata Fire Department by Scarlett Rocheleau. Estefany Garibay Cruz was the chief for the GCSO, and Santiago Villa Zamudio represented the Quincy Police Department. The children were officially sworn in by Grant County Superior Court Judge Anna Gigliotti. 

“It’s a great event,” Kriete said. “I love it.” 

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Ephrata Police Chief for a Day Alex Gutierrez takes a look at his plaque during the ceremony at the Grant County Courthouse on Thursday.
  

    Classmates of Soap Lake Police Chief for a Day Locklan Talton check out his cool badge.
  

    Washington State Patrol Chief for a Day Candace Shearer shows off her plaque.
  

    Warden Police Chief for a Day Gregorio Acero has a smile for Warden PD Chief Rick Martin.
  

    Quincy Police Chief for a Day Santiago Villa Zamudio displays his plaque.
  

    Locklan Talton, Soap Lake, gets a hug from a member of the Paw Patrol.