ST. GEORGE — The room was full of off-duty officers who came on their own time to meet Washington City’s newest police officer being sworn in.
City council members showed up and the excitement continued to build. After the newest patrolman was officially sworn into duty, he just wanted to get out of there and stop crime.
Washington Elementary second-grader Hayden Barker was recently given the opportunity to ride along with patrolman Scott Ray for a morning shift.
Kory Klotz, Washington City’s public information officer, said the department learned of Hayden’s wishes to work in law enforcement through a fundraiser benefiting the young man.
Barker had his leg amputated during a boating accident at Lake Powell last summer, Klotz said.
“He got into the cop car and said, ‘I’m going to go do work, we’re going to make a difference,’” Klotz said. “When the ride-along was over, he told officer Ray that ‘they couldn’t be done yet because they hadn’t stopped everyone in the city.’”
Students and faculty at Pine View High School named Barker their Mr. PVHS for 2023. This is a student fundraiser where all clubs, organizations and sports teams raise money each year for a community member in need.
Pine View instructor Adam Dewitt said after Barker was nominated for Mr. PVHS, he was interviewed by a student/faculty committee. Through this process they learned Barker wants to work in law enforcement when he finishes school.
“We met with him and that was one of the things that stood out from his interview,” Dewitt said. “So we decided to contact the police department and see if they could make it happen.”
Klotz said for a typical ceremony for new officers, city officials and off-duty police are encouraged to attend and meet the newest employee.
For Hayden, the police department went a little further. They special ordered a uniform, an honorary badge and some medallions, while many employees from several departments came by for the cute new officer’s inception.
“It’s that type of thing that we do that is different from our normal duties,” Klotz said. “It brings joy and we can give back a little bit — that’s why we do what we do. It definitely makes it a lot more fun.”
The Mr. PVHS fundraiser for Barker will continue through March 8 when the student body will present the money raised for the youth’s recovery to his family in an assembly, Dewitt said. The Panther cross country team’s 5K fundraiser for Barker is scheduled for Feb. 25 with a one-mile option.
Klotz added that Hayden’s future as a law enforcement officer is looking good.
“For a little boy just losing his leg, he is very mobile and he’s not bitter in any way — he’s just so happy,” he said. “And that’s a good thing.”
Photo Gallery
Hayden Barker and Washington City's Chief of Police Jason Williams pose after the youth was allowed to ride-along for the day | Image courtesy of Kory Klotz, for St. George News Hayden Barker is sworn in by Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 | Image courtesy of Kory Klotz, for St. George News Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams swears Hayden Barker in before duty in a ceremonial gesture for the youth who wants to work in law enforcement | Image courtesy of Kory Klotz, for St. George News Hayden Barker gets a day in the life of a police officer with Patrolman Scott Ray with Washington City Police | Image courtesy of Kory Klotz, for St. George News The Washington City Police Department held a ceremonial swearing in for Hayden Barker, and elementary student who wanted to be a cop | Image courtesy of Kory Klotz, for St. George News
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