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Bobby's World: The sweetest of gestures to honor fallen Twinsburg police officer

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October 1, 2008

by Robert Recker, senior editor

There have been many events in the last two months to honor the life of fallen Twinsburg Police Officer Joshua Miktarian, but perhaps none pull on the heartstrings more than the simple actions of a 5-year-old boy.

Wilcox kindergartner Benjamin Brady raised $118.90 by setting up a lemonade stand in front of his Burton Lane home Sept. 21. Then he and his mother, Laura, took the cash to the Twinsburg Police Department and told officials to put it toward the purchase and training of a new K-9 police dog to replace Bagio, who was retired from the force to live with the Miktarian family.

Laura said the amount of money they collected "far exceeded my expectations."

"Many people saw our sign and generously made a donation without even taking a treat," she said.

Benjamin wore the policeman costume he had already picked out for Halloween as he served 3 gallons of lemonade and four trays of Rice Krispie treats to passersby. The day was made extra special by a visit from Twinsburg Police Officer Craig Bremner, after a neighbor told them about Benjamin's kind deed.

"It was very moving," said Bremner. "You have a little kid out there doing everything he can within his means to help out.

"His $100 is just as meaningful as what was raised at the Hilton," he added, referring to a Sept. 4 dinner/concert that raised $45,000 for the Miktarian family.

It was that fundraiser, sponsored by the city and a host of local businesses, that set Benjamin's plan in motion.

Laura explained that while riding in the car several weeks ago, Benjamin heard a commercial for the event and asked her if they could go to it. However, the Bradys were unable to attend.

"For days afterwards he kept talking about Officer Miktarian and his partner, Bagio," she said. "My son said he wished he could do something to help the police buy a new dog."

Benjamin has a particular fondness for law enforcers' four-legged companions.

"Police dogs are smart and can smell bad guys, and they help keep the policemen safe," he said.

Laura said he had recently helped dog-sit a family member's border collie for a few days, once again donning the Halloween costume and pretending the dog was his partner.

Questions about Officer Miktarian's tragic death have inevitably come up.

"We talked about how there was a bad guy who hurt and killed a policeman, and that the dog is not going to work any more and gets to live with the officer's family," Laura said.

"His question was, 'If the dog's gone, who's gonna take care of the other police officers?'"

Benjamin's lemonade stand helps put the police department $118 closer toward filling that vacancy.

"My son learned how good it feels to do good things for others," Laura concluded. "I am very proud."

E-mail: rrecker@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3168




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