- Deputy Mike Allred thanked Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning for their support after a deadly shooting.
- Students sent letters to Allred, who was injured in the shooting, and dog treats to his K-9 Azula.
- Allred encouraged students to be kind while humorously urging them to eat their vegetables.
PERRY, Box Elder County — In their first assembly of the fall, students, teachers and staff at Promontory School of Expeditionary Learning took time to honor first responders, inviting firefighters and law enforcement in the area for a breakfast.
The event comes as deputy Mike Allred, who was injured in a deadly shooting that took the lives of Tremonton-Garland police officer Eric Estrada and Sgt. Lee Sorensen, wanted to thank the school for their support during his recovery.
"They're so caring and loving," Emily Ross, the school's assistant director, said. "And so even if they don't personally know what happened, they're so willing to jump in and just express their kindness and appreciation."
Students sent letters of support and thanks to Allred and dog treats to his K-9 Azula. After Allred voiced his desire to thank the school in person, staff members decided to turn it into an event to thank all first responders.
"It means a lot to me that I get to be here with you kids today," Allred said, addressing the school crowd. "For you guys to take time and reach out and thank not just me, but thank all first responders that are out there. ... I want to let you know that I feel the love, and I appreciate it."
School director Amber Edelman said it was important for students to be able to show Allred that they care.
"We had kids that were just asking, 'What can we do to help?'" Edelman explained. "Box Elder County is kind of a unique place because we are such a small community. We all feel it, so we all were impacted by this tremendously."
Allred also took the opportunity to share some advice with the kids.
"Be a good friend," Allred said. "If you see somebody that's sitting by themselves and they're having a rough day, just go up and say 'hi' to them. Make a new friend."
Not all of his words were so openly accepted, however.
"One more thing," Allred concluded. "I need everybody to promise this one. It's going to be tough. You've got to promise to eat your vegetables. Can you do that?"
The room erupted in laughs and scoffs, though some raised their hands in acceptance of the invitation.
Related:
'I'm broken.' Deputy injured in Tremonton shooting recovering, thankful for support
The Box Elder County sheriff's deputy injured in Sunday's shooting in Tremonton gave an update on his recovery on social media and thanked the community for its continued support.
