NORFOLK, Va. — 8-year-old Connor McGriff has always wanted to be a police officer.
Recently, while he and his family were eating lunch at Mongolian Barbecue on Military Highway, he got to meet one of Norfolk’s top cops. Connor’s great-aunt, Elaine, wrote to me about the touching moment.
Elaine said, “I just happened to look back and saw the chief and a couple of other officers, and I asked Connor, ‘Would you like to go meet a police officer?’ ”
Connor said, “I walked over there and said, ‘Hi, I’m Connor.’ ”
It turned out Norfolk Assistant Police Chief Daryl Howard was having a retirement lunch that day after serving 26 years on the force.
Connor said, “I felt a little scared because I finally met a police officer, face to face. Three police officers!”
Elaine said, “The chief was so kind. He took pictures with him, talked with Connor and gave him a very nice coin.”
Chief Howard and Connor have kept in touch by email since that day. Chief Howard said, “When you start having a conversation with an 8-year-old child and you can physically see how he lights up, there’s nothing better.”
An eager youngster and a police officer generous with his time — still having a positive impact on his community. The two are a positive example for Hampton Roads.
Elaine said, “We left with full bellies and our hearts so much lighter.”
