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Warren second-grader named honorary officer

Staff photo / Bob Coupland Lincoln PK-8 school resource officer Michael Currington, left, hands a proclamation naming Wednesday as Krista Monsman Day in Warren to Krista, 8.

WARREN — It was a picture of a snowman dressed as a police officer drawn by second-grader Krista Monsman that caught the attention of Lincoln PK-8 school resource officer Michael Currington.

Currington surprised Krista this week at a special assembly with her police photo-ID badge and officially swore her in as an “honorary police officer.” The 8-year-old said she would like to be a police officer when she grows up.

Also on hand was Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, who presented a proclamation naming Wednesday as “Krista Monsman Day” in Warren.

Krista’s parents, Danella and Christopher Monsman, as well as other family members, joined all the second-grade classes at the school for the assembly this week.

“We really had no idea she wanted to be a police officer. Officer Currington said he saw a paper she did hanging in the hallway about her wanting to be a police officer,” Danella Monsman said.

Krista said in Monica Pishotti’s class, they do writing activities, and one was to draw a snowman and come up with a job for that snowman.

“I picked a police officer and wrote all the reasons I wanted to be a police officer,” she said.

Krista said the picture will be hung in Currington’s office.

“When I was walking in the hall, I saw it and read where Krista wanted to be a police officer. I called her mom and told her about it and she was surprised. That is how we set this up and got everyone together to surprise Krista,” Currington said.

Krista said she sees Currington every day as he patrols the school, comes in the lunchroom and outside. She said Currington, who also is the police chief in Fowler, is a role model for her.

“He’s a really nice guy, and he helps people, which is something I want to do,” she said.

“I was very surprised. My teacher told us there was an assembly in the gym, but I did not know what it was about. I was even more surprised when I saw my mom, dad and other family,” she said.

Debra Walker, Krista’s grandmother, said she remembers once her granddaughter talking about being a police officer. Walker, her husband, Bob Walker, and Krista’s great-grandmother, Ella Bridges, were among the family members who attended the assembly.

During the assembly, Krista said when Currington called her to the stage, she had no idea this was going to happen.

Currington said Krista has many good characteristics of being a police officer such as great personality and a willingness to help people.

Franklin read the proclamation at the assembly, noting Krista’s compassion for others, her willingness to learn and her positive attitude.

“She is an outstanding example to all, especially to her fellow students, and to me as the mayor,” he said.

Krista needs a wheelchair to get around, but Currington said many opportunities in law enforcement exist, including dispatcher, analyst and working in cyber crimes.

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