Trace is about to start kindergarten, but thanks to a kind act from a local police officer, he says he already knows what he wants to do when he grows up.
Trace and his mother, Holly Williams, were in the Auburn Mall in Alabama on July 25th school shopping when the young boy saw a police officer eating lunch in the food court. "He saw him and was like, "Momma, can I go thank him for saving people?' and I told him, "Sure, honey,"," Holly Williams, Trace's mother, told Dateline NBC. "The officer went above and beyond and took so much time with him and then I took the photo at just the right moment.
What happened next has now garnered a lot of attention on social meida. Holly says she didn't intend to post the snapshot, but thought it was a lighthearted image that should be shared.
"Trace saw this police officer in the mall and wanted to tell him ‘thanks for keeping us safe.’ Then he was 'sworn-in,' promising to uphold the law. This was the nicest man, with lots of patience and a big heart. I don't know you, but thank you for taking the time with my son, he will remember that moment forever."
The officer is now being praised for his kindness and thanked by many for setting a great example.
As for Trace, the five-year-old is still talking about the experience and has officially decided to become a police officer or a firefighter. He's also taking his ‘swearing-in’ very seriously, according to his mom. "Now all he talks about is how he wants to serve and protect others. And I really think he'll do that one day."