AKRON, Ohio — The daughter of a fallen police officer had a very special first day of school.
Charlee Winebrenner, 5, started kindergarten Thursday in Akron, Ohio, without her father there to send her off.
Charlee's father, Officer Justin Winebrenner, died in November when he was shot and killed attempting to stop a gunman at an Akron bar. He was off-duty and unarmed.
Because he couldn't be there for his daughter's first day of school, law enforcement officers from Akron, Barberton, New Franklin and the Summit County sheriff's department showed up Thursday morning to escort Charlee into school.
"They promised they'd take care of her and be there the first day of kindergarten, and that they'd be there the day she walked down the aisle," said Rob Winebrenner, Justin's father and a retired police officer.
"I thought the officers coming out was great," Charlee's mother, Alyse Shanafelt, said. "This is a really emotional time for me anyway, but I know they will always be there for her, and it helps knowing that since I don't have her father anymore to go to, but I have all these guys standing in."
Charlee lost her father but gained a blue band of brothers who have not only vowed to protect and serve the community but also Winebrenner's little girl.
"The support that Charlee will receive for the rest of her life from Akron police and all of the departments is something she should probably get used to, because we are always going to be here during special events like today and throughout her life from this point on," said Akron Police Officer Kevin Evans, who is also Charlee's uncle.
WSBTV
