Palm Springs Police Surprise Slain Officer's Daughter, Escort Her to School

PALM SPRINGS, CA – A police department is a family. And today, the Palm Springs Police Department was there for one of their own as she returned to school 16 days after her father was gunned down in the line of duty.

Officer Jose "Gil" Vega died on Oct. 8, after dedicating more than three decades to the Palm Springs Police Department. Leaving behind a large family including eight children, Vanessa Vega is his youngest.

On Monday, the 8-year-old returned to school for the first time since her father's slaying, and several Palm Springs police officers wanted to make sure she knew she is loved and has their support. The uniformed officers showed up at her home and escorted her to school, right into her classroom.

Vega was the youngest to speak at the funeral last week for her father, with words that left all in attendance feeling the love she had for her father.

"We all have a time to pass away, but it wasn't my father's turn," she said at the memorial service attended by thousands of law enforcement officers from across the nation.

"... He will always stay with us," she said. "He will be watching us. He won't ever leave us. Even though we can't see him, it doesn't mean he can't see us."

See several more photos shared by the Palm Springs Police Department of Vanessa's first day back below.

– Image via Palm Springs Police