A local school has paid tribute to a fallen community hero and appreciation for those who protect them every day.

The Grade 3 and 4 students of Wheatland Elementary School learned of the passing Calgary Police Officer Sgt. Andrew Harnett. To honour him, they decorated

Students also gifted art they had made to the local police. Photo courtesy of Wheatland Elementary School. a fence that bordered the school with blue ribbons in a heart shape.

On Friday morning, members of the Strathmore RCMP attended a presentation by the students thanking them for their work in keeping them safe.

“We also drew pictures and coloured in pictures to say thank you to all the police officers,” explained student Oliver Hubbard.

They also created a banner in their display depicting a buffalo explained Associate Principal Michelle Rushford, “We are focusing on appreciating other cultures and that is why we used the buffalo as a symbol to represent our heroes in blue.  The buffalo always face the storm, while other animals hide.  We think our police bravely go to work each day knowing they are heading straight into a storm.”

The students were very excited when the officers showed up and even a little shy and nervous. Student Claire Latter explained that she was a little scared seeing the police cars show up, but soon realized that they were her friends.

“I think it was an awesome once in a lifetime thing,” explained Oliver Hubbard.

The Indigenous students from each class also presented the officer with a Blackfoot gift feather.

“Receiving a Blackfoot gift feather is a great honour to Blackfoot people,” explained student Lexx Piche. “A person that is gifted with a feather has achieved heroic actions that others appreciate. These Blackfoot people would be considered great leaders and heroes.”

After chatting with the police officers, the students were surprised as the police officers sounded their sirens and showed off their lights as they drove away from the school.