A 5-year old girl who lost her policeman dad in the line of duty over the weekend was overwhelmed with support at her Kindergarten graduation on Wednesday, when hundreds of Arizona police officers showed up in his place.

“The purpose of us is to be here in proxy for Daryl and to let her know that we’re here for her,” Police Officer Keith Garn said.

Tatum Raetz celebrated her day with the people who perhaps knew her father best, and who wanted her to know that he was loved and revered. A sad time for the child turned into a day of love and support as a huge crowd of blue uniforms turned up instead of the originally-planned two or three.

“Word got out that this was happening and it went viral within the department and there was absolutely no way that you could keep officers who could be here away from here. they came, even with their families,” Officer James Holmes explained. “She had 300, 400 parents up here for her this morning. It was absolutely amazing. It was bittersweet and it was a bit overwhelming for all of us.”

Images: Twitter

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