Police officer brightens boy’s day after his birthday party was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic
Glendale police officers are sworn to uphold the law and serve local residents.
It’s sometimes a thankless job, done with pride and resolve. They run toward danger in order to keep residents safe, but their duties don’t stop there.
Officer Vlad Akopian heard that a local young boy’s birthday party had been canceled due to the current health pandemic and related stay-at-home regulations in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“I found out about him through my amazing partner, Officer Michelle Gonzalez,” he said. Gonzalez is a school resource officer at Glendale High and is friends with the boy’s family.
Since no one could attend the planned birthday party, Akopian took it upon himself to bring a little joy to the boy’s home and heart.
Paxton Taylor Aguilera, who just turned 6, received a phone call from Akopian, who was parked outside the boy’s Piedmont Avenue residence.
Akopian, a school resource officer at Hoover High, arrived with red and blue lights flashing on his police vehicle to wish Paxton a happy birthday from the sidewalk.
Paxton stood at his front door while the two talked for a few minutes. “I wish(ed) Paxton a happy birthday to inspire him in these difficult times,” Akopian said.
After a few minutes interacting from a distance, Akopoian said he told Paxton to “take good care of himself and his loved ones. He promised he will, and we gave one another a hand salute.”
Officer Akopian said that if an opportunity arises to brighten “a child’s day and make a positive impact on the community by doing so,” he does it with the highest regard.
As Akopian walked toward his car, Paxton held up a large sign with the words “thank you” on it.
According to Akopian, the Paxton family “felt great about it.” He added they boy was excited and said to his mom, “Best birthday ever.”