For a day, 4-year-old boy is Wichita’s top cop

Christoffer’s all set to be the grand marshal of the Support Local Law Enforcement Community parade in Wichita on Saturday.

He has his police uniform, his badge and his whistle, which he blew often Friday morning at City Hall.

Doubling as public information officer for the parade, 4-year-old Christoffer shouted, “Attention, everybody!”

The second annual parade will start at noon at Central and Main and travel south to First Street, Wichita police Sgt. Casey Slaughter said. Activities start at 10:30 a.m. and will include inflatables, video games and popcorn machines.

Oh, and Hurts Donut’s creations, too.

“It’s law enforcement,” Slaughter said. “You’ve got to have doughnuts there.”

More than 90 law enforcement officers will take part in the parade, including officers from towns including Topeka, Maize, Bel Aire, Park City and McPherson.

Last year’s inaugural parade was organized by local churches, businesses and ministers who wanted to show their support for law enforcement in the wake of several high-profile incidents around the country. This year’s parade will be much bigger, Slaughter said.

Christoffer, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2013, plans to be a police officer one day. For now, however, he has other duties.

“Come see me tomorrow at the parade!” he proclaimed.

Those coming to the parade better behave, too, or he’ll be there to make an arrest.

Christoffer and his family are being assisted by Make-A-Wish, the organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening conditions. His official wish is a trip to Disney World this summer.

His stint as unofficial police chief for a day and parade marshal are just local bonuses – as was a nice long hug from the real police chief, Gordon Ramsay.

“It’s been so fun to watch him really become part of the family” at Make-A-Wish, said Bethany Shirk, community relations director for the Kansas chapter.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 1:19 PM with the headline "For a day, 4-year-old boy is Wichita’s top cop."