Football connects children with officer

Police officers typically have a variety of tools they use when out on patrol. Sergeant Corey Parr, of the Daingerfield Police Department, prefers to use a football.
Parr, who regularly patrols on Jenkins Street, drove by a group of young men playing football one day recently. Parr returned the next day, with intentions of playing football with the students. When he returned, he found Alex Dela Cruz, Javier Flores, and Tommy Olguin sitting around outside.

“I stopped, and asked them what happened to their football,” said Sargent Parr, adding that the boys said they couldn’t find it. Olguin said that when Parr left, they didn’t think he would be back. “He left, and we didn’t know why. But he went to Fred’s, and when he came back, he had the football and gave it to us,” Olguin said.

“I like to do this because it helps me get to know the kids, and it also helps them to realize that we are here for them, and we are their friend,” said Parr. While playing ball with them, Parr also reminds them to play safely, watching out for cars and reminding them that policemen are there to help them, unless they break the law. And this is not the first time Parr has stopped and played football with a group of children. He has also been known to stop and play football with Cub Scouts during their summer program, as well.

As a thank you for Sergeant Parr’s generosity, the boys presented him with a Sonic gift card, after throwing the football with him out behind the police station.