OPD and Make-A-Wish surprise 4-year-old with a day as an officer
Orlando Police Department landed a top new recruit to join their ranks for the day, thanks to OPD and Make-A-Wish on Wednesday. Stone Hicks, age 4, may not look like the force’s typical recruit, but clearly, OPD had done their homework when scouting for a new talent needed to help solve a special case about a dognapper on the loose in Orlando.
Hicks, who has undergone a liver transplant after battling renal failure, was escorted by Sgt. Eduardo Sanguine after he arrived by a police escort. Exiting a stretched limousine, headquarters was abuzz and clamoring to meet their newest officer. The SWAT team wasted no time rappelling off the side of the building, bringing Hicks a backpack of his gear and uniform he would need for his special day. They knew he had to look sharp because moments later he would be sworn in by OPD Chief Smith and quickly briefed on the case they needed his skill set to solve.
Joining the SWAT team in a ride in the armored vehicle, he quickly was hot on the trail and able to locate the missing pooches right there at OPD headquarters. Turns out his vantage point, standing at roughly three feet tall, was just the way of looking at the case that his new teammates of the force needed to catch a break. Shortly after the find , Hicks took to his squad car and showed off his driving skills. Onlookers had to know this was not your average rookie because the OPD convertible is not a standard issue ride while on patrol with the force.
