Stopped into the Kwik Shop on West Crawford here in Salina to grab a quick drink and stay hydrated. This uniform gets hot in a hurry. 🥵
As I walked in, I noticed three young kids, probably elementary age, walking around the store. They came right up to me with a question I’ve heard many times before:
“Do you have any stickers?”
I smiled and told them I sure did. I just needed to grab my drink first and I’d meet them outside.
But as I watched them for a moment, something in me wanted to make this more than just a quick sticker hand-off. So I offered to buy them a piece of candy, whatever they wanted, as long as they were respectful while picking it out.
They lit up. 😀
After they checked out, we met outside near my patrol car. What I thought would be a two-minute interaction turned into something much more meaningful. And honestly, I needed it just as much as they did.
They got their stickers. I showed them the inside of my car. We turned on the lights. And yes, for just a few seconds, they even got to hit the siren.
We laughed.
Then I opened up my small bin of giveaway items I usually save for recruiting events and told them they could take anything they liked, KHP stickers, little bags, and keychains.
They don’t know my name. I don’t know theirs. But what we do know is that a uniform smiled with them today.
We shared a moment.
Before they left, I reminded them to be safe when walking around town. Stop and look both ways. Be smart around strangers.
These are the moments I look for.
Yes, I’m here to help during crashes. With flat tires. Enforcing safety on the roads.
But these moments, interacting with kids, making them feel safe, letting them know we’re people they can trust, those are my favorite.
Always be safe,
Trooper Ben
Now, if you find yourself connecting with this post… maybe it’s time to click over to
KHPJobs.org and consider joining us.
You just might be the one someone remembers.