Officers Gift Backpack To Mission Viejo Girl

MISSION VIEJO, CA — After a Mission Viejo mom discovered items were stolen from her black SUV in March, it was her daughter's missing backpack that spoke most to deputies, taking the report.

The backpack was designed to look like a Corgi--her favorite dog--and Regan Thornton was severely "bummed"about the loss, which she described in detail to OCSD Deputy Nawar Alkawadri. Both the deputy and his trainee were touched by "her sweet personality and enthusiasm and her love for school," BehindTheBadge.com reported.

Most of all, they were struck that she was the daughter of a soldier, serving our country overseas.

Military wife and mom Kopitzee Thornton, had a lot on her plate that night of the theft. She forgot to lock her black SUV when she returned home on March 22, and hours later, she discovered the theft. In her police report, she listed the missing backpack, along with laundry detergent, tax documents, and makeup.

But that backpack was unique to her daughter, and when she learned deputies wanted to do their best to replace it, she was all for the idea.
On April 12, seven deputies and a chaplain arrived "to check on Regan" and see how she was doing, the girl thought.

Instead, she was gifted with the new Corgi-themed pack stuffed full of markers, Marvel dolls, and more, all collected with Alkawadri's own money. He wanted to make sure she understood why.

“We’re here to replace the stuff that was wrongfully taken from you,” Alkawadri told Regan as she clutched the pack and explored its contents. “And we wanted to say a major thank you to your dad. We know he’s in the military, and we respect that. We want him to know that while he is overseas protecting our country, we are here protecting you and your community.”