Savannah Parker started pre-K on Wednesday, just like hundreds of other children in Georgia. And just like those kids, she held the hands of grownups as she entered school. But Savannah’s escorts weren’t her parents; they were Georgia state troopers.

Savannah’s special escorts were part of a promise made to her dad. Tyler Parker died in 2018 when the truck he was driving hydroplaned and struck a tree. Savannah was severely injured in the accident, but fully recovered.

On Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety posted touching photos of troopers with Savannah and her family.

“Troopers kept a promise to a lost friend (Trooper Parker) and were by his daughter’s side for her first day of school,” GDPS tweeted.

Savannah was 30 months old when the accident happened. Her dad died at the scene.

Tyler Parker began his career in public service as a deputy with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office. He then followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Georgia State Patrol.

About the Author

Keep Reading

BlazeSports, the nonprofit adaptive sports program based in Norcross, focuses on active play and healthy eating for children with disabilities. (Courtesy of BlazeSports)

Credit: spec

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff