Post Falls Police lead car parade to celebrate boy’s 13th birthday

POST FALLS — It was a peaceful Friday afternoon on Yellowstone Avenue in Post Falls, until eight police vehicles showed up with horns and sirens blaring.

The ruckus was to celebrate the 13th birthday of Kyler Miller, who had no idea Post Falls Police personnel were leading a car parade just for him. He was pleasantly surprised, wearing a wide smile as cars festooned with streamers and balloons kept coming. People along the block clapped and waved.

"It's awesome!" Kyler said with big eyes.

His mom, Julie MacArthur, had emailed PFPD to ask them to do something special for her son, who won't be having a big celebration because of coronavirus restrictions.

"They had a K9 unit and everything,” she said. "It was amazing. I’m so glad they did it."

"We appreciate every single one of them,” said family friend Jacquelyn Meddock.

Kyler said he'd just be hanging out at home for his birthday.

"My brother's coming," he said, smiling.

His brother's girlfriend, Vanessa Butcher of Post Falls, was in one of the decorated cars.

"I think it’s really amazing we can get everyone together to throw a surprise, even though it’s coronavirus and we’re supposed to social distance,” she said. “I think it’s really amazing we can get everyone together and do that for him."

Post Falls Police Lt. Mark Brantl said almost everyone at PFPD is a mom or dad, so they all know what it means to do something special like this.

“We all understand everyone’s being affected, including the kids,” Brantl said. “We’re doing what we can to make this situation a little better and help out where we can.”