Osceola County

Officers, deputies escort daughters of fallen Kissimmee officer to first day of school

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Matthew Baxter wasn’t there on Tuesday to walk his daughters to their first day of school, but a pack of his former co-workers were.

A group of police officers and deputies from the Kissimmee Police Department, Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and St. Cloud Police Department escorted Baxter’s daughters to their classrooms on Tuesday.

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Baxter’s widow, Sadia, said it was the latest example of the support her family has felt since her husband was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 18, 2017.

“Their father was not able to give them a kiss this morning and walk them to school but they felt his love through the law enforcement officers here today,” Sadia said.

Tuesday marked their daughter Zarah’s first day of kindergarten.

READ: ‘It’s just so devastating’: Family of murdered Kissimmee officer loses another father figure after grandfather dies of COVID-19

She said it’s special to see the law enforcement community continue to stand by her family.

“I really believe seeing so much love and support kind of eased their heart and although you guys don’t have your daddy present, I know he’s watching over,” she said.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.