Wyoming’s heart is going out to the family of Wyoming High School graduate and Springdale Police Officer Kaia Grant, who was killed in the line of duty March 21. The community its showing its love with blue hearts displayed on front doors all over Wyoming this week to show support for her family and the Springdale community where she worked.
Officer Grant, 33, has been called a hero by her fellow officers with the Springdale Police Department, and her loss is being deeply felt. Springdale Police Chief Thomas Wells described her as someone he knew would be an asset for his department as soon as he met her. “I knew this was somebody who was going to make difference in our community,” he is quoted as saying.
Locally, former teachers remembered the 2005 WHS graduate, who went on to attend William and Mary College, as a curious and thoughtful young woman.
Retired English teacher Darby Lyons said in a story in The Enquirer this week that Grant was someone who you’d want serving in your community’s police department.
“She was someone who isn’t quick to anger,” said Lyons. “She was tough, but she also had a big heart.”
Social studies teacher Todd Siler said Grant was curious about the world around her, especially about politics.
“Her interest in politics stood out,” he said. “She would ask a lot of questions and she volunteered for campaigns.”
While her career took her in a different direction, those who knew her on the job said she was a friendly face who exemplified her community police mission to serve others.
These arrangements were announced on Cincinnati.com this week:
Officer Kaia Grant will be honored Sunday with a police procession and live streamed funeral service.
Here is the schedule for Sunday, March 29:
9 a.m.: Police procession leaves Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Ave. The procession will travel up State Route 4 and make stops at Wyoming High School and Springdale Police and Fire Departments. It will then proceed northeast on Lawnview Avenue to east on Kemper Road to south on Century Boulevard to the Vineyard Church in Springdale, located at 11340 Century Circle East.
10:30 – 11 a.m.: Private family viewing
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Church service, seating reserved for family and Springdale Police personnel
12:15 – 1:30 p.m.: Public viewing
1:30 – 2 p.m.: Ceremonial Honors on Vineyard property, outdoors. Officers will stand in formation practicing social distancing.
“We encourage people – as long as they feel comfortable doing it and can do it in a safe, obviously practicing social distancing and such – come out in their front lawn and wave, or wave a flag as we drive by. If they can support us from a distance, you know, that would be great,” said Officer Keenan Riordan, one of the Springdale officers planning the funeral.
