Cops Kids presents scholarship to Decatur student who describes life as officer’s child

Tom Borcher, executive director of the nonprofit Cops Kids, presented a scholarship May 11 to Katherine Harris during a Decatur City Council work session. Borcher said Cops Kids, formed nine years ago to support children of police officers, has awarded nine scholarships and sent eight younger children to Space Camp.

Katherine Harris, identified as the daughter of Lieutenant John Harris, read an excerpt from her winning essay in which she described a ‘‘certain sense of longing’’ that accompanies being the child of a law-enforcement officer. ‘‘The police car in the driveway may no longer feel like an impenetrable shield,’’ she wrote, while also saying her father’s ‘‘sense of justice’’ and ‘‘altruism’’ shaped her plans to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Borcher presented Harris with a framed certificate and a gift certificate to mark the award. Council members and attendees offered congratulations and noted family ties to Decatur schools in remarks following the reading.

The presentation took place at the start of the evening work session, before a scheduled vendor briefing and the council’s routine agenda business. The award is intended as recognition of students connected to local law enforcement and is part of Cops Kids’ stated mission to support that community.