Six Year Old Cruz Lang (center) is between his parents Micah and Makenzie Lang and Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte and Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale as he was named “Officer of the Day.”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department added another officer to its force, at least for a day. Six year-old Cruz Lang, the son of Micah and Makenzie Lang was sworn into duty yesterday as an officer of the day. Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte issued the oath of office for the youngster.
Following the swearing in, and the signing of the certificate, young Lang became an officer of the day. Lang, along with his parents were given a tour of the new police headquarters. He was equipped with a t-shirt with the Le Mars Police Department emblem. He was given a medallion coin, a certificate, a
stick-on badge, and the Le Mars Police Department emblem. The officer of the day sat in a police squad car, operated the emergency flashing lights and siren, reported on the radio, explored the armored vehicle known as the “Peace Maker” and even got the opportunity to train with the Combined Response Team, the tactical unit comprising of the Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
During the tactical training, Lang was given the opportunity to assist in an arrest, although it was part of the training exercise. Lang was all smiles as Police Chief Vande Vegte and Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale showed the Kluckholn Kindergarten student a taser, ammunition, and the ins and out of being a police officer. The opportunity came about through a fund raising activity.
Chief Vande Vegte says the police department has offered three opportunities for youngsters to become an “Officer of the Day.” Lang is the first to be named. Micah Lang, Cruz’s father, says he
submitted the top bid during the Floyd Valley Healthcare Gala which featured the “Officer of the Day” as an auction item. Micah Lang says of his son, “he has always said he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.”
