Three police officers were called to a backyard party in Antrim on Saturday, Aug. 17, to be guests of honor at the 5th birthday party for police fanatic Asher Burnham.
Lieutenant Brian Lord and Officer Ethan Christensen of Antrim and Officer Zachary Letourneau of Bennington were on scene to cut the cake and let the party guests explore a cruiser – so long as they didn’t receive a call. There were police-themed favors and games as well.
“He’s always loved law enforcement, anything with lights,” said Kimberly Burnham, Asher’s mother, adding she regularly thanks veterans and officers for their service.
“It was something my father always did,” she said, and it was important to her to instill that respect in her son as well. She said Asher’s begun to do it too, but says “thank you for my service.”
“It’s really cute,” Burnham said.
Asher received two police uniforms for his birthday.
“As soon as he put on the uniform, his face went serious,” Burnham said.
She said she wanted to have the party, in part, to bring law enforcement together with the children of the community.
“I would love to have the children see a good side, and [develop] respect for people who put their lives on the line,” she said.
Antrim police Officer John Blake said Burnham occasionally brings her son to the station to foster a positive relationship with the police. It appears to be working.
“Her son is in love with the police,” Blake said. “We got him a thin blue line flag last year.”
Burnham said the flag was signed by Antrim’s officers and hangs in Asher’s room. She said her son’s had an American flag in his room since he was in a crib, and that Asher occasionally asks her to sing the Star Spangled Banner to him.