OGDEN -- Christy Vu wants to thank the police officers in Ogden for protecting her and risking their lives every day to do so.
The 9-year-old Lincoln Elementary School student said she felt very sad when Ogden Police Officer Jared Francom was killed and five other officers were wounded early in January.
Christy, along with several of her classmates who are part of the YMCA after-school program, recently made get-well cards for Ogden Police Officers Shawn Grogan, Kasey Burrell and Michael Rounkles, Weber County Sheriff's Sgt. Nate Hutchinson and Roy Police Officer Jason Vanderwarf.
"I still feel sad, and I hope the card will make them feel better," she said. "I wish them all good luck."
Whitney Nelson, YMCA program leader, and Sharon Gardner, project manager for YMCA, said they didn't explain the shooting incident in detail to the children, but most of them were already aware of it.
"We just told them that police officers risk their lives every day to keep the community safe and we thought it would be nice to send them cards thanking them and wishing them a speedy recovery," Nelson said.
"The kids were all very excited to make the cards."
Gardner said the students were not able to attend Francom's funeral procession, so this was a way for them to express their condolences and appreciation to the officers.
"School was in session during the funeral procession, and because we're farther north, the kids weren't able to see the parade route," Gardner said.
"We thought this would be a nice way to still participate and thank them for protecting us. The kids talked about how grateful they were for police officers serving and protecting them every day."
First-grader Michelle Davis said she drew an angel on her card to protect the officers while they recover.
Luis Guzman, a second-grader, thanked the officers for saving them from robbers and said he was sorry they had to go to the doctor.
"I want to say thank you," he said. "They take good care of us."
Third-grader Evangelina Vigil said she drew a flower on the cover of her card.
"I think they are awesome," she said of the officers. "I hope they will still do what they do and not be afraid to go back to work."
Roy Police Chief Greg Whinham dropped by the school to pick up the cards from the students. He told the students that Vanderwarf was back at work and doing well and would be excited to receive and read the cards.
Whinham also talked about making the right choices in life. He said choosing to make cards for the officers was a wonderful gesture that would help them during their recovery.
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