Aragon celebrates child who saluted procession

Cohen Chastain spends a special day with Aragon police and the son of fallen Polk County officer Kristen Hearne.

It was a touching moment for many people when 3-year-old Cohen Chastain stood at attention and saluted as the funeral procession for Detective Kristen Hearne passed by on U.S. 278 on the way to lay her to rest.

His Tuesday tribute to the fallen Polk County Police Department detective didn’t go unnoticed by local officials, and they decided that they wanted to do something special for the boy who loves law enforcement.

Cohen donned his uniform again on Friday to get a special honor of his own from the City of Aragon, and his parents Chris and Mandy Chastain brought him to Aragon City Hall where a surprise was waiting for him.

Cohen was greeted by police officers, who wanted to thank him for the show of support for the men and women in blue.

Also waiting for him was Isaac Hearne — Detective Hearne’s son — and his family, and the pair got to play around together for the morning and learn a little about being a police officer.

“This was a very special honor for us and the family to do that for Cohen,” said City Clerk Christie Langston. “It meant a lot to all of us.”

The City of Aragon provided the opportunity for Cohen to meet Aragon Police Department’s Chief Mark Riley, Sgt. Dane Hunter and Sgt. Brad Lloyd, and after some initial greetings he also got to play with Isaac in an Aragon Police Department patrol car — including a chance to play with the lights and sirens.

Langston said the city also provided Cohen with a backpack full of goodies as well, his own police badge, a toy police car, and a Paw Patrol stuffed dog.

The city chose to reach out to Cohen’s family to meet up with the Hearnes after they saw his tribute to Detective Hearne. Her husband, Lt. Matt Hearne, serves with the Aragon Police Department.

Langston added that the moment was truly

special for everyone at the City of Aragon, who at the end of a difficult week of mourning were able to do something positive for Cohen.

Photo contributed by Amy Liggons / Cedartown Sgt. Brad Lloyd and Sgt. Dane Hunter watch Cohen Chastain pull items out a backpack provided by the city full of police-themed goodies for the 3-year-old who stood on the side of U.S. 278 and saluted the funeral procession of Polk County Police...

Photo contributed by Amy Liggons / Cedartown Sgt. Brad Lloyd shows off all the controls in an Aragon Police Department patrol car to Isaac Hearne and Cohen Chastain.

File, Doug Walker / RN-T Cohen Chastain, 3, of Rockmart, salutes to honor fallen Polk County Police Department Detective Kristen Hearne. Chastain was with has grandmother in a median of U.S. 278 on the route of the funeral procession.