Kahre holds annual police celebration

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Officers on horseback, followed by police on motorcycles, patrol cars, the K-9 Unit, a SWAT truck and a D.A.R.E. car pulled onto Kahre Elementary School's field with their sirens blaring on May 5.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department, Clark County School District Police Department, North Las Vegas Police Department, Henderson Police Department, Boulder City Police Department, Mesquite Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol were at the school for the 15th annual Marc A. Kahre Honor Day.

Kahre, a Metro motorcycle officer, was killed on Oct. 11, 1988. The following year, the school was named in his honor.

"We don't look at it as sad," said school principal Glenda Plaster. "We look at what he left behind. His name portrays dignity, service, honor and completion of a job well done."

The law enforcement parade ended with a Metro helicopter fly-over and a presentation by the department's color guard. To honor parents, each child with a mother or father serving in law enforcement carried a flag.

Although one day is set aside to honor Kahre, students learn about him and his life throughout the school year.

"Each class studies the life of Marc Kahre to take the kids through life skills," Plaster said. "It really opens an avenue for the children to say, 'Hey, this is who my school is named for and I want to be a responsible person.' "

Carli Stafford, a fifth-grader said, "He was a very dedicated officer. He died when he was 34."

Students at Kahre donated their allowances or extra money they raised to the Officer Down Fund in honor of Metro Sgt. Henry Prendes, who was killed on Feb. 1. They raised $435.45, which was presented during the ceremony.

The students also gave a Bowl of Wishes to the Prendes family. Each student wrote a wish for the family on a dog bone, which was put into a large bowl.

Almost 100 fourth-graders presented patches from police departments all over the country, which they had been gathering during the school year. Each year, fourth-graders write letters to police departments asking for patches, which are then framed and hung on the walls of the school. The 95 patches gathered this year brought the total collection to over 1,000.

Metro Officer DuWayne Layton and the department's K-9 unit gave demonstrations for the crowd. The dogs mock-attacked officers dressed in special gear pretending to be fleeing the scene of a crime.

Throughout the year, Layton takes part in the Kahre Leadership program, which is designed to teach kids leadership skills. A student from each class is selected to be a part of the Kahre K-9s, who represent Kahre Elementary on the K-9 unit during school events. Layton speaks to the students about leadership and the importance of making an example.

Children had time to get to know the police officers, who had lunch with the students before the ceremony began.

"A lot of times, kids are intimidated by us," Layton said. "Kids get one-on-one with cops. They realize you're human."

After the ceremony and demonstrations concluded, students were able to spend more time with the officers and get a closer look at their vehicles. The children climbed aboard motorcycles, inside the SWAT truck and patrol cars and turned on sirens and lights.