CHP officers surprise son of fallen comrade at graduation
Last Friday, Chandler Paul Miller, 14, graduated from the 8th grade at Lodi Christian School. He was joined by 20 California Highway Patrol officers, standing in for Chandler’s father, John Paul Miller, who died in the line of duty on Nov. 16, 2007 when his vehicle struck a tree during pursuit of a drunk driver near Livermore. CHP officers came from Dublin, where John’s office was located, Stockton and Sacramento to support Chandler during his graduation.
The CHP officers’ presence was organized by officer Jeff Rhodes, whose children attend the same school as John’s children. Rhodes, who only met the Miller family after John’s passing, felt that it would be appropriate for Chandler to have a father figure present at his middle school graduation. After making a call to the CHP Dublin office, he was able to round up 20 father figures to stand up for Chandler at the ceremony.
Chandler’s mother, Stephanie Miller, said he was very surprised by the officers’ attendance, having no idea that they would show up. He was touched by the officers’ presence, many of them having known Chandler since his father passed when he was only four years old.
Stephanie, for her part, currently serves as the vice president of the Northern California Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a nonprofit organization that assists families and coworkers of police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
COPS helps family members attend annual programs on the East Coast, as well as hosting several local programs throughout the year including a summer picnic and a Christmas party. COPS also helps families and coworkers of fallen officers attend National Police Week in Washington, D.C. every May.
Stephanie also works with the California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation, which provides emergency assistance to CHP employees and their families in times of crisis, according to the foundation’s website. She also helps with any CHP-related events that she can — her way of repaying the people who helped her during her own crisis back in 2007.
Chandler, who will attend Jim Elliot Christian High School in Lodi in the fall, played basketball for both Lodi Christian School and the Amateur Athletic Union, as well as playing flag football at Lodi Christian. John Miller frequently coached Chandler and his friends in soccer and basketball, as well as coaching basketball for youths in his hometown of Linden. He is remembered by his family as a devoted husband and father, who wanted to make the better place and provide a good life for his children, Chandler and Reese.