With Simple Note, Child Helps Assuage Officers' Grief

ROUND ROCK, TX — Even for grownups, it's often difficult to convey just the right words or find the ideal gesture in expressing condolences to loved ones of a fallen family member. Despite such challenges, a child in Round Rock provided an eminently moving and eloquent expression of grief and appreciation for an officer who recently died in the line of duty.

Law enforcement officials found a small envelope slipped under the front door of Round Rock police headquarters early Thursday morning, the day after a funeral for Officer Charles Whites. The 19-year veteran officer succumbed to injuries sustained after being struck by a car Feb. 25 while directing traffic around an accident scene at Interstate 35.

"Thank you for everything you do," a note inside the envelope in child's handwriting read. "I'm sorry to hear about officer Whites. I wanted to donate my allowance." The note is signed: "Love, Ximena," although no return address was included.

An entire community — along with well-wishers throughout the country — had hoped for Whites' recovery from the severe injuries he sustained while on duty. With hope in their hearts, community members staged fundraisers for the officer's family to help defray medical costs and related expenses during his hospitalization. Sadly, the officer didn't pull through and succumbed to his many injuries on April 19.

But the child's act of kindness in donating her entire allowance for the worthy cause — all $4 worth of undoubtedly well-earned rewards from her parents for good behavior — has moved even the most hardened cop on the Round Rock force, its members still reeling from grief over their fallen brother.

"Thank you Ximena and everyone else in the Round Rock community who expressed their support," police wrote on Twitter with a photo of the note, complete with one standard red heart and another bleeding police blue, to convey their appreciation for the child's gesture of kindness. "This is why we do what we do. We love our city!"

Attended by thousands, a Celebration of Life service for officer Charles Whites took place this week Shoreline Church (North Campus) located at 15201 Burnet Road in Austin. In lieu of flowers, the family of Officer Whites encouraged contributions to the Round Rock Police Officers Association.

>>> Photos of Officer Charles Whites with wife, Connie, courtesy of Round Rock Police Department