CITRONELLE, Ala. — A 5-year-old Citronelle boy who told his kindergarten teacher he wanted to grow up to be a police officer got the chance to live the dream early, serving a full day as Citronelle’s Junior Chief of the Day.
When Lucas Gaw’s teacher asked her class at the end of the school year what they wanted to be when they grew up, Lucas said he wanted to be a cop so he could help people and protect the city — and, truthfully, because he wanted to hang out with Chief Norris. The chief heard about the answer and set out to make it happen.
A packed schedule for Citronelle’s youngest officer
Lucas’s day on the job began with an official swearing-in ceremony to the force. From there, he met city firefighters — and even got his turn spraying the fire hose — before boarding an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency helicopter for a ride and meeting ALEA first responders. Mayor Stringer capped the day by presenting Lucas with a proclamation.
Chief Norris said the timing mattered, coming during a period of confusion and detachment between the public and the policing profession. He called Lucas kind and compassionate, noted the same fascination with law enforcement the chief himself had as a child, and said he hopes the experience lights the boy’s fire even more.
Norris added that he intends to make the Junior Chief program a permanent fixture in Citronelle.