Grant Co. celebrates courage and community at Chief for a Day
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month AGO
Elijah Basilio, 8, was honored as the chief of the day for the Washington State Patrol. He likes swimming, playing on the trampoline and running with his dad in his free time.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Preston Thomas, 5, was honored as the chief of Grant County Fire District 5. His first goal as the new chief is to drive a fire truck with lights and sirens.
Nayelli Lopez, 15, was honored as the Ephrata Fire Department Chief for a Day. Her first goal for her new role was to wear a fire helmet.
Adam Torres, 6, was honored by the Quincy Police Department as the Chief for a Day. His first goal as the new chief was to “make Mr. Trujillo catch bad guys.”
Aiden Kane, 11, was chosen as the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff of the Day. His first goal as chief was to eat snacks, which GCSO Sheriff Joey Kriete commended and said he related to.
Bryan Reyes-Cervantes, 11, was honored as Grant County Fire District 3 Chief for a Day. He said his first goal as chief was to take the crew to lunch.
Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9, was honored as Warden Police Department’s Chief for a Day. His favorite color is blue, and he loves cars, puzzles, Legos and Disney movies.
Hunter Kennedy, 9, was honored as the Moses Lake Police Department Chief for a Day. He said his first goal as chief was to see the dogs and get a K-9 stuffie, which he said he is trying to collect all of.
Adrian Aguinaga, 12, was honored as the Moses Lake Fire Department Chief for a Day. He said his first action as chief is to see the vehicles and meet the heroes that drive them.
Adam Torres, 6, was honored by the Quincy Police Department as the Chief for a Day.
Bryan Cedillo, 7, was honored as the Royal City Police Department Chief for a Day. He said his first thing he will do as chief is “arrest all of the bad guys so that everyone could feel safe with all the bad guys in jail.” He also said he would proudly put on his hat every morning.
Grant Williams, 10, was honored as the Ephrata Police Department Chief for a Day. He said the first thing he will do as chief is celebrate.
Fire chiefs, police chiefs, Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Washington State Patrol salute the flag during the opening ceremony of Chief for a Day June 12.
Warden Police Chief Rick Martin smiles alongside his new chief Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9 years old.
The new “chiefs” for several agencies take their oath of office during the Chief for a Day event June 12.
New “chiefs” hold their honorary plaques and talk with one another during Chief for a Day June 12.
Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete walks his new sheriff, Aiden King, back to his seat during the Chief for a Day event.
Bryan Cedillo, 7, rides a Grant County Sheriff’s Office Posse horse during the Chief for a Day event June 12.
Quincy Police Chief Adam Torres walks up to receive his certificate during Chief for a Day June 12.
Preston Thomas, 5, stands with his mom during the Chief for a Day event June 12.
Elijah Basilio was honored as the chief for the day for Washington State Patrol. He smiles for a photo after being recognized.
Nayelli Lopez, 15, was honored as the Ephrata Fire Department Chief for a Day. She walks with her bag of goods to show off to her mom.
EPHRATA — Laughter filled the air and smiles shone brightly Thursday as Grant County honored 11 exceptional children during the annual Chief for a Day celebration.
“Seeing the excitement and happiness on their faces is heartwarming,” said Kyle Foreman, Public Information Officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
The cherished event, now in its 21st year, transforms young residents, some battling significant medical challenges, into honorary chiefs for a day.
As local law enforcement and fire department personnel rallied around them, the children took center stage in a celebration that embodies community spirit and resilience.
The festivities commenced with a motorcade featuring lights and sirens, escorting the young chiefs from local schools to the Grant County Courthouse. Participants vividly remember the joy radiating from the faces of the children as they arrived at the venue.
The event aims to create a memorable day where families can momentarily set aside their struggles and delight in the spirit of celebration, Foreman said.
The 11 honorary chiefs included Aiden Kane, 11, made sheriff for the day; Nayelli Lopez, 15, the Ephrata Fire Department’s chief; Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9, chief for Warden Police Department; Adam Torres, 6, chief of the Quincy Police Department; Bryan Cedillo, 7, chief of the Royal City Police Department; Bryan Reyes-Cervantes, 11, honored by Grant County Fire District 3; Elijah Basilio, 8, the chief for Washington State Patrol; Hunter Kennedy, 9, from the Moses Lake Police Department; Preston Thomas, 5, the chief for Grant County Fire District 5; Grant Williams, 10, from the Ephrata Police Department; and Adrian Aguinaga, 12, with the Moses Lake Fire Department.
"This event is all about giving the families and the children a memorable day," Foreman said. "The joy and connection to the community that these kids experience is invaluable."
Each child presented a colorful biography detailing their aspirations for their new role, personal interests and favorite heroes.
For example, young Sheriff Aiden Kane named his first objective as "to eat snacks," a sentiment praised by Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete, who admitted, “I can relate to that.”
The ceremony included heartfelt speeches and an emotional oath-taking led by Grant County Court Judges, legitimizing the honorary roles of the newly appointed chiefs.
The children proudly recited their vows, promising to be brave, honest, respectful and, above all, to have fun. The genuine pride displayed by each young chief as they donned their uniforms and badges was evident.
“This day is not just about fun; it serves as an important recognition that children with special needs are valued in our community,” said Warden Police Chief Rick Martin. “Every child selected has a unique story, helping them understand they are not alone in their challenges.”
The reactions from the young chiefs, including Nayelli Lopez, who expressed her excitement to wear a fire helmet, and Hunter Kennedy, whose first act as chief was to meet the K-9s, encapsulated the heartwarming nature of the day.
As Bryan Reyes-Cervantes said, “I want to take my crew to lunch!”
The day not only served as an event for celebration but also as a reminder of the strength and resilience exhibited by children facing considerable health challenges, Foreman said.
“Together, we can truly make a difference,” Kriete said.
Preston Thomas, 5, was honored as the chief of Grant County Fire District 5. His first goal as the new chief is to drive a fire truck with lights and sirens.
Nayelli Lopez, 15, was honored as the Ephrata Fire Department Chief for a Day. Her first goal for her new role was to wear a fire helmet.
Adam Torres, 6, was honored by the Quincy Police Department as the Chief for a Day. His first goal as the new chief was to “make Mr. Trujillo catch bad guys.”
Aiden Kane, 11, was chosen as the Grant County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff of the Day. His first goal as chief was to eat snacks, which GCSO Sheriff Joey Kriete commended and said he related to.
Bryan Reyes-Cervantes, 11, was honored as Grant County Fire District 3 Chief for a Day. He said his first goal as chief was to take the crew to lunch.
Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9, was honored as Warden Police Department’s Chief for a Day. His favorite color is blue, and he loves cars, puzzles, Legos and Disney movies.
Hunter Kennedy, 9, was honored as the Moses Lake Police Department Chief for a Day. He said his first goal as chief was to see the dogs and get a K-9 stuffie, which he said he is trying to collect all of.
Adrian Aguinaga, 12, was honored as the Moses Lake Fire Department Chief for a Day. He said his first action as chief is to see the vehicles and meet the heroes that drive them.
Adam Torres, 6, was honored by the Quincy Police Department as the Chief for a Day.
Bryan Cedillo, 7, was honored as the Royal City Police Department Chief for a Day. He said his first thing he will do as chief is “arrest all of the bad guys so that everyone could feel safe with all the bad guys in jail.” He also said he would proudly put on his hat every morning.
Grant Williams, 10, was honored as the Ephrata Police Department Chief for a Day. He said the first thing he will do as chief is celebrate.
Fire chiefs, police chiefs, Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Washington State Patrol salute the flag during the opening ceremony of Chief for a Day on June 12.
Warden Police Chief Rick Martin smiles alongside his new chief Brandon Martin Arredondo, 9 years old.
The new “chiefs” for several agencies take their oath of office during the Chief for a Day event June 12.
New “chiefs” hold their honorary plaques and talk with one another during Chief for a Day June 12.
Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete walks his new sheriff, Aiden King, back to his seat during the Chief for a Day event.
Bryan Cedillo, 7, rides a Grant County Sheriff’s Office Posse horse during the Chief for a Day event June 12.
Quincy Police Chief Adam Torres walks up to receive his certificate during Chief for a Day June 12.
Preston Thomas, 5, stands with his mom during the Chief for a Day event June 12.
Elijah Basilio was honored as the chief for the day for Washington State Patrol. He smiles for a photo after being recognized.
Nayelli Lopez, 15, was honored as the Ephrata Fire Department Chief for a Day. She walks with her bag of goods to show off to her mom.MORE STORIES
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