Sheriff's deputies walk fallen officer's 9-year-old to class on first day of school

Sheriff’s deputies escorted a young boy to his first day of fourth grade just one month after his father was killed in the line of duty.

Cade Dixon, 9, had his first day of class at Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy in Gainesville, Ga. on Wednesday. In a Facebook post, Hall County Sheriff’s Office shared photos of deputies accompanying Cade, as well as his mother Stephanie, to his classroom.

“Hall County Sheriff’s Deputies joined Caden Dixon and his mother Stephanie this morning as Caden began the new school year as a fourth-grader,” the post reads. “They wanted to give Caden and Stephanie some extra support and encouragement on this first day of class.”

WSB-TV reports that Cade’s father, 28-year-old Nicolas Dixon, was fatally shot while attempting to stop a stolen car in July. He had been with the department for three years, serving as a jailer until October 2018, after which he transferred to patrol. He was the father of two boys: Cade, 9 and Colt, who is 4 months old.

Hall County Sheriff public information officer Derreck Booth tells Yahoo Lifestyle the deputies were a “tight-knit group.” Sgt. Charles Hewell, who was Dixon’s watch commander, has been actively involved with serving and comforting the Dixon family.

“I really wanted us to be there to show [Caden] that we weren’t just here for the funeral, we’re here for the remainder,” Sgt. Hewell tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “We’re not done being there for him.”

He adds that Caden was having a rough Wednesday morning because he didn’t want to go to school without his dad being there.

“Seeing his reaction when he saw us made everything worth it,” he says. “They’re going through so much, and if we can just give them 10 minutes or 20 minutes of pure joy and happiness, then that’s awesome to do.”

Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he’s proud of the deputies who joined the 9-year-old “with open arms” to walk him to his first day of fourth grade.

“The actions of caring and support for both Caden and Stephanie only reinforce what the men and women of our agency already know. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is a family. We come together as one in both difficult and joyful times.”

Many people commented on the Facebook post showing the deputies’ selfless support of the Dixon family and thanked them for taking care of the young boy.

“What a wonderful and awesome act of love for this precious boy,” one person wrote. “Thank you, officers for all you do for us, especially this precious family!!!”

Another added, “It's great to see an agency and a community take care of the family of their fallen officers. Y'all are doing it right!”

“That is so sweet of these officers. God bless this sweet boy as he goes into his first school year without his daddy,” a person commented.

Stephanie Dixon did not immediately respond to Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment.

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