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UPDATE: Friday

Below is the description of yesterday's big event at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center.

The Normandy Park Police Department would like to notify citizens about the 2012 Chief for a Day event held tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, 19010 1st Avenue S.

10:15 AM: Arrival of police motorcade
11:00 AM: Opening ceremony
12:00 PM: Lunch (by donation)
1 ‐ 3 PM: Outside demonstrations/presentations, including "Lisa" the camel from Old McDebbie's Farm in Spanaway.

This event celebrates the lives of children who have been diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness.

"We hold this event August of every other even year," Sonja Hirsch told the Highline Times. She is Event Coordinator, Chief For a Day program, and Executive Assistant for the Criminal Justice Training Commission. Rachelle Parslow was also event coordinator.

"This is the biggest one we've had, with 27 children with a life-threatening or chronic illness participating," Hirsch said. "This is a good way to put law enforcement in a positive light. One year we had a girl who was a foster child and before participating in this event all she saw was law enforcement in a negative light because they'd come to her home to deal with mom and dad. But because of the Chief For a Day program she began to appreciate law enforcement.

John Snaza, Sheriff of Thurston County, which includes Olympia, shared this,
"My 'sheriff for a day' Mia Deligennes passed away in April from leukemia. Her twin brother, Noah, had donated bone marrow to her a couple of years ago. I was able to make him 'undersheriff for a day'. Law enforcement is very compassionate and most people don't see that side. We get to at least try to make the kids' day better during this event."

"This is the seventh time I have had a 'little chief', the third time with the Port of Seattle," said Port Police Chief Colleen Wilson. "If you imagine the stress the family feels when the child is chronically ill it's huge and leads to challenges with money, transportation, and emotional and marriage stability. If they can spend a day with their heroes, these uniformed officers, what an awesome gift."

Chief Wilson's little chief this time was Richie Gonzales, age 5. He came up from the Los Angeles area to participate in part because his uncle, Herb Gonzales, is a Port of Seattle Patrol Officer.

"He looks foreword to this day, absolutely," said Richie's mother, Vanessa.

The 27 Police chiefs and sheriffs participating included those from Tacoma, Redmond, Sumner, Forks, Port of Seattle, Kent, the Tulalip Tribe, UW, and Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste.