Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies turned out Friday night to support the son of a fallen Arkansas deputy during his high school graduation ceremony.
Johnson County Deputy Sonny Smith was shot and killed while pursuing a burglary suspect just hours before son Dakota was set to receive his diploma, according to KARK-TV.
The group of officers from the area stood in honor of the young man's father during the Clarksville High School graduation commencement as a show of support during his family's very difficult time.
As Dakota walked across the stage, the group of officers saluted him.
"There was a lot of outpouring emotion at that point he received a lot of applause and rightfully so," Clarksville School Superintendent Dr. David Hopkins told the news station. "It took a lot of courage for him and his family to be here tonight and I know that's where their dad would want them to be."
In honor of the fallen deputy, the graduating class along with the police force wore black ribbons.
