An Indiana boy had to take what was probably one of the most difficult trips to school, but he didn’t go alone: His father’s brothers in blue were with him every step of the way.

Dakota Pitts, 5,  is the son of Rob Pitts, a police officer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who was recently killed in the line of duty.

Dakota's mom asked the police department if someone would escort him to school, but never imagined that not one, not 10, but 70 officers and other supporters lined the sidewalk Monday to welcome Dakota back to his school, WTHI reported.

>> Read more trending news

"It's a brotherhood. It's not like any other job you're going to have. Guys are close. You form bonds that you wouldn't form in a different profession. When somebody's in need, we go, especially for a fallen officer and his kid," Detective Less Hamm told WNDU.

The SWAT team gave Dakota his own SWAT shirt and badge.

"He will definitely know his dad was a hero. Blood doesn't always make family and I think the blue family went above and beyond," Dakota's aunt, and his father's sister, Kelly Jones, told WTHI.

About the Author

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