“I want people to appreciate all the good our police officers do for the city,” Rosena said.
“Everybody could use a little pick-me-up. That’s one of the things our students wanted to share.”
By any measure, it’s been a tough couple of weeks for the city’s police officers.
Stehr was publicly called out just days after a sergeant ended his own life on a public street. Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn’s family has since attributed his death, in part, to the poor treatment by city executives and members of the department. Investigations by the FBI, Los Angeles County sheriff and city into police misconduct, a growing pile of lawsuits over everything from discrimination to workplace retaliation and pressure from numerous city commissioners have kept police issues at the fore.
Despite all the negativity, it’s easy to forget the fact that dozens of students dream about growing up to don the blue and whites, said Albert Rosena, the school’s dean of discipline and technology coordinator.
Students began a morning Mass attended by city executives, Burbank and LAPD officers and sheriff’s officials by belting out a series of hymns. The school band opened a courtyard performance as students from first through eighth grades presented Stehr with stacks of handmade gifts.
Burbank Police Lt. John Dilibert maintained the children helped to bring back a sense of innocence lost.
“That made my day,” Stehr said.
“The spirit those kids showed, we’re all grateful.”
Just one day after burying a colleague, Officer Gil Moreno said the show of gratitude went a long way to changing the mood.
He waved and smiled as a small cluster of first- and second-graders stood near a sign imploring God to watch over those “who risk their safety to keep others safe.”
“The whole morning changed my attitude,” Moreno said. “It was a great way to end a terrible week.”
Officers then moved inside where students greeted them with a large breakfast.
“It’s like winning the lottery of love and support and appreciation,” Lt. Ron Caruso said.
