• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Advertise
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
American Police Beat

American Police Beat Magazine

Law Enforcement Publication

  • Home
  • Leadership
    • Your agency needs you
      Pursuit termination option: Radiator disablement
      Liability — not always a showstopper!
      A candid chat with law enforcement Explorer scouts
      Do you know your emotional intelligence?
  • Topics
    • Leadership
      • Your agency needs you
        Pursuit termination option: Radiator disablement
        Liability — not always a showstopper!
        A candid chat with law enforcement Explorer scouts
        Do you know your emotional intelligence?
    • Editor’s Picks
      • Mental health checks … in the training room?
        Crime doesn’t take a vacation
        The power of mediation
        Therapy isn’t just for the broken
        Police humor only a cop would understand
    • On the Job
      • “Wanna hop in?” Louisiana officer gets a lift from a good...
        “Nothing else mattered”: Heroic NYPD trio rescues girl from river
        “Just gut reaction”: Maine officer makes great save
        Crime doesn’t take a vacation
        Hot on the scent
    • Labor
      • The power of mediation
        Differentiation in police recruitment
        Building positive media relations
        LEO labor and community outreach — make the haters scoff
        Racing with a purpose
    • Tech
      • The future of patrol is here
        New York governor highlights $24 million investment to modernize law...
        Cutting-edge police technology
        One step closer
        New Jersey school district first to adopt AI gun detection and...
    • Training
      • The vision behind precision
        Mentorship: Ensuring future success
        Unlocking innovation
        Training dipshittery
        Police Academy 20
    • Policy
      • The phenomenon of trauma bonding in law enforcement
        Betrayed from within
        Supreme Court declines to revive Missouri gun law
        Quotas come to the end of the road
        Consolidation in action
    • Health/Wellness
      • Mental health checks … in the training room?
        Surviving and thriving in retirement
        Fit for duty, fit for life
        A wake-up call for cops
        Therapy isn’t just for the broken
    • Community
      • Community engagement: What is it moving forward?
        Contradictory crossroads
        Back-to-school season brings out police support nationwide
        A bold idea for reducing homelessness in America
        Operation Brain Freeze keeps community cool
    • Offbeat
      • Police humor only a cop would understand
        Not eggzactly a perfect heist
        Pizza … with a side of alligator?
        Wisconsin man charged with impersonating Border Patrol agent twice in...
        Only in California?
    • We Remember
      • York County ambush leaves three officers dead, others critically...
        Honoring the Fallen Heroes of 9/11
        Team Romeo
        National Police Week 2025
        Honoring Fallen Heroes
    • HOT Mail
      • The War on Cops Continues Unabated
  • On the Job
    • “Wanna hop in?” Louisiana officer gets a lift from a good...
      “Nothing else mattered”: Heroic NYPD trio rescues girl from river
      “Just gut reaction”: Maine officer makes great save
      Crime doesn’t take a vacation
      Hot on the scent
  • Labor
    • The power of mediation
      Differentiation in police recruitment
      Building positive media relations
      LEO labor and community outreach — make the haters scoff
      Racing with a purpose
  • Tech
    • The future of patrol is here
      New York governor highlights $24 million investment to modernize law...
      Cutting-edge police technology
      One step closer
      New Jersey school district first to adopt AI gun detection and...
  • Training
    • The vision behind precision
      Mentorship: Ensuring future success
      Unlocking innovation
      Training dipshittery
      Police Academy 20
  • Policy
    • The phenomenon of trauma bonding in law enforcement
      Betrayed from within
      Supreme Court declines to revive Missouri gun law
      Quotas come to the end of the road
      Consolidation in action
  • Health/Wellness
    • Mental health checks … in the training room?
      Surviving and thriving in retirement
      Fit for duty, fit for life
      A wake-up call for cops
      Therapy isn’t just for the broken
  • Community
    • Community engagement: What is it moving forward?
      Contradictory crossroads
      Back-to-school season brings out police support nationwide
      A bold idea for reducing homelessness in America
      Operation Brain Freeze keeps community cool
  • Offbeat
    • Police humor only a cop would understand
      Not eggzactly a perfect heist
      Pizza … with a side of alligator?
      Wisconsin man charged with impersonating Border Patrol agent twice in...
      Only in California?
  • We Remember
    • York County ambush leaves three officers dead, others critically...
      Honoring the Fallen Heroes of 9/11
      Team Romeo
      National Police Week 2025
      Honoring Fallen Heroes
  • HOT Mail
    • The War on Cops Continues Unabated
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
Search

Community

Dream come true: Massachusetts 5-year-old becomes honorary junior police officer

APB Team Published August 6, 2023 @ 6:00 am PDT

Springfield (MA) Police

On July 14, the Springfield Police Department in Massachusetts shared a heartwarming experience with 5-year-old Julius Clark, making his dreams come true by appointing him as an honorary junior police officer for the day. Julius is the grandson of Springfield Police Officer James Gagne, who passed away in June.

Joy and excitement radiated from Julius as he was welcomed into the police station. Led by Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, the little boy, accompanied by his mom and retired Sergeant Kevin Devine, embarked on an unforgettable tour of the department’s headquarters.

Throughout the day, Julius was treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of law enforcement. He marveled at the various police units and got to know the officers who work tirelessly to keep the community safe.

One particular highlight of the day was meeting Kacey, the department’s beloved emotional support dog. With Kacey by his side, Julius felt an instant connection that added to the joy of the experience.

As the honorary junior police officer, Julius was given a special badge and felt a sense of pride and responsibility for upholding the law, just like the real officers he looked up to.

The heartwarming gesture by the Springfield Police Department not only brought immense joy to Julius but also left a lasting impact on the officers involved. Their commitment to making a difference in the lives of young community members shone brightly through this act of kindness.

The Springfield Police Department’s efforts to foster positive connections with the community, especially its youngest members, serve as a wonderful example of the meaningful impact law enforcement can have beyond their regular duties.

Categories: Community Tags: honorary, 5-year-old, Julius Clark, tour, emotional support dog, behind-the-scenes, Springfield Police Department, community service, dream come true, junior police officer

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • “Wanna hop in?” Louisiana officer gets a lift from a good Samaritan
  • “Nothing else mattered”: Heroic NYPD trio rescues girl from river
  • “Just gut reaction”: Maine officer makes great save
  • The phenomenon of trauma bonding in law enforcement
  • Mental health checks … in the training room?
  • Betrayed from within
  • Surviving and thriving in retirement
  • Your agency needs you
  • Crime doesn’t take a vacation
  • The power of mediation

Footer

Our Mission
To serve as a trusted voice of the nation’s law enforcement community, providing informative, entertaining and inspiring content on interesting and engaging topics affecting peace officers today.

Contact us: info@apbweb.com | (800) 234-0056.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Categories

  • Editor’s Picks
  • On the Job
  • Labor
  • Tech
  • Training
  • Policy
  • Health/Wellness
  • Community
  • Offbeat
  • We Remember
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Events

Editor’s Picks

Mental health checks … in the training room?

Mental health checks … in the training room?

November 25, 2025

Crime doesn’t take a vacation

Crime doesn’t take a vacation

November 21, 2025

The power of mediation

The power of mediation

November 20, 2025

Therapy isn’t just for the broken

Therapy isn’t just for the broken

November 14, 2025

Policies | Consent Preferences | Copyright © 2025 APB Media, LLC | Website design, development and maintenance by 911MEDIA

Open

Subscribe

Close

Receive the latest news and updates from American Police Beat directly to your inbox!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.