Heroes Are Kids, Too

A reader thought me insensitive Thursday for including the “smarty pants” reference in the story about a kid who helped police catch a hit-and-run driver. While I don’t agree with her, I do admit to considering how to best include the comment without diminishing what he did. I saw it as a term of affection, not a knock, an acknowledgment that he’s a kid as well as a hero. If someone calls my boy a “smarty pants,” I’ll probably respond, “I know.”

I could be wrong.

The scene at Westpark Wednesday was pretty cool. Officer Floyd May went into the computer lab at the community center to get him. It can’t be too exciting to get called on by a cop. He led him outside where he gave him the certificate.

As you read the story you may notice he’s a 9-year-old fifth grader. Travonte said he started school when he was 4. He’s a smart boy.

In addition to the certificate, he got some cards for free sandwiches and free ice cream, which may have been why Jade Farnum, the 7-year-old girl who got hit by the car, called Travonte a “meanie” when he got the certificate. She got some freebies, too.