WARSAW — A fourth grader at Lincoln Elementary, returning home from Riley Children’s Hospital, received a heartwarming welcome home from the community.

Earlier this year, Drake was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma brain tumor after several weeks of not feeling well. He underwent a 13 and a half hour surgery at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis to remove the benign brain tumor.

The weekend of his diagnosis, Drake shared with doctors his dream to become a police officer. Through social media, word has spread, leading police officers around the world to send police officer patches and share words of  encouragement to Drake.

The Warsaw Police Department gave Drake the title of an honorary Warsaw Police Officer at a special ceremony at Lincoln Elementary in March. Drake was able to watch the school event through a live stream.

After a 10 week stay at Riley Children’s Hospital, Drake was released yesterday, April 27. The Warsaw Police Department gave Drake an escort home to show their continued support.

Drake got to ride in a D.A.R.E. vehicle in the middle of a parade of emergency vehicles that drove through Warsaw with lights on and sirens blaring.

The caravan drove past Warsaw Community High School and Washington Elementary School as students were outside waving. All the students at Drake’s school, Lincoln Elementary, lined up on the sidewalks on Clark Street and Lincoln Street waving and cheering as the vehicles drove past.

The police escort ended at Drake’s home where Warsaw Community School Superintendent David Hoffert, Chief Academic Advisor David Robertson and the WPD offered words of encourage to Drake and his family. Officers presented Drake with a shadow box of patches. Drake cried tears of joy as officers hugged him.

Miles Price, Drake’s father, said he was so thankful for the support the family has received from the community. “This is overwhelming,” said Miles.

Miles stated Drake’s road to recovery isn’t over yet, but he and his wife Charity are glad to have Drake home. Miles said he was appreciative of the police escort.

“The tears were flowing.”