Mikayla

Mikayla, 14, dad is an Aurora police officer

Hi I’m Mikayla, my dad has been a police officer since I was 8 months old.

It’s the only [thing] I can remember him ever doing.

People tend to view cops as men and women who wear a uniform and they seem to forget that behind that badge is a father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece or nephew.

Something that will always stick with me is no matter how busy my dad got with work, he always made sure to cheer my sister and I on, whether it was a soccer game, a swim meet or even a choir concert. He was always there. He always puts his daughters first.

With him being a cop, he’s obviously very protective of me even more so than other dads. My dad is always teaching me ways to protect myself, he’s always saying pay attention. Therefore, as a cop’s daughter, I know to pay extra close attention to the world around me.

As a child I was never picked on. People knew my dad was a cop and thought if they were even a little mean to me, they would get arrested, of course I never told them any different.

With that feeling of protection also comes the worry – the worry that I could possibly not see my dad again when he goes to work.

My dad undergoes a lot of mental and physical work we can never imagine. He witnesses things we couldn’t even dream of.

There’s always going to be worries because my dad is out making sure we’re all safe.

Crime doesn’t stop for the holidays, so while you might be enjoying a nice Thanksgiving, my dad could be working to keep our holidays safe.

Though my dad often works holidays he still manages to give his daughters an amazing holiday.

Every girl has a dad- while that is the truth for me, my dad is also my hero. He keeps me along with Aurora safe. Always.

Alex

Ally

Sariah

Brody

Mikayla