Sometimes, the most memorable moments at a school event don’t happen on stage—they happen in the quiet gestures of kindness that go unnoticed by most.

Last night, at the Ridgeview homecoming ceremony, Deputy Terry Gregg—a school resource officer beloved by the kids at Boones Creek, including my own daughter—showed exactly why he’s so special to our community.

The event was in full swing. The crowd was buzzing with cheers, the lights were bright, and the homecoming court was making its way across the floor. Among them were two young children with special needs, each paired with a “prince” or “princess” for the evening.

When it was her turn, the little girl stepped out toward the center of the court. But as soon as she reached the middle, the bright lights and watchful eyes became too much. Fear flashed across her face, and she turned and ran toward her family, sitting off to the side.

That’s when Deputy Gregg noticed.

Without hesitation, he stopped what he was doing, crossed the court, and knelt down beside her. He said something quietly, trying to make her smile, his presence gentle and steady. Whatever he said worked—her shoulders relaxed just a bit. Moments later, he walked with her, hand in hand, back toward the front where her “prince” was waiting.

She didn’t let go of him. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug that said more than words could. And there he stayed, kneeling beside her, patting her back, making sure she felt safe and proud to be part of her special night.

It wasn’t part of the job description. It wasn’t a moment meant for the cameras. It was simply a man who cared enough to make sure a child wouldn’t miss her moment—no matter how scared she felt.

These are the moments that remind us: while uniforms and badges may represent authority, they can also represent comfort, protection, and genuine human kindness. And that night, in the middle of a crowded gym, Deputy Terry Gregg was exactly what that little girl needed him to be.