All five-year-old Dakota Pitts asked for was to be taken to school by one of his dad's co-workers and friends. But what he got was a 70-strong police escort lining the entrance.
Dakota's dad, 45-year-old Rob Pitt, was killed last week after a three-hour standoff with Christopher Wolfe, 21, who was suspected of murder.
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Dakota hadn't been back to his Indiana elementary school until yesterday and he asked for one of his dad's co-workers to take him. His mum contacted some of Rob's colleagues and not one but 70 of them turned up outside school.
They lined the side street as Dakota walked down wearing his dad's badge in the middle of his t-shirt. Then an officer presented the young LAD with his own SWAT shirt as he made his way to the door of Sullivan Elementary School.
The officer also told Dakota they would always have his back. What a lovely gesture for him on what we're sure was a daunting day.
Kelli Jones, Officer Pitts' sister, told WHTI-TV: "He will definitely know that his dad was a hero. Blood doesn't always make family, and I think the blue family just went above and beyond."
Les Ham, Terre Haute Police Department detective, said: "Dakota asked his mom if one of his dad's friends could take him to school, so she kind of reached out to Rob's friends and family."
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According to the MailOnline, his father, Rob Pitts, was a 16-year veteran with the force. He was tragically killed on May 4 in a shootout at an apartment complex where an armed murder suspect was barricaded inside.
Christopher Wolfe, 21, was suspected of shooting and killing a 26-year-old man at a home in Terre Haute, Indiana.
A three-hour standoff took place before Wolfe opened fire from the second floor of the apartment, fatally striking Rob Pitts, who left behind another son and daughter, as well as Dakota.
The SWAT team entered the apartment around 9:15pm and located Wolfe who was also killed in the gunfire exchange.
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On Saturday Terre Haute police spokesman, Ryan Adamson, said: "We are sad to report that Patrolman Rob Pitts #196 was the Officer killed in yesterday's incident.
"Officer Pitts was a 16 year veteran of the Terre Haute Police Department. Rob is deeply missed, but we are grateful for the time we had with him. Thank you for your continued prayers."
We're sure the entire community will come together to make sure Dakota and his family are supported.
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Over the weekend an off-duty policewoman shot a gunman outside a school in Brazil as he attempted to rob families with young children.
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