When a Johnson County Arkansas deputy was shot and killed pursuing a burglary suspect the day before his son’s graduation, no one knew the way the brotherhood of officers would take care of his son.

Hours after the shooting, Dakota Smith walked across the stage at Clarksville High School to pick up his diploma.  When his name was announced, a dozen officers who had rushed to the school stood up, snapped to attention and saluted the young man in place of his late father.

“There was also a standing ovation for him and a round of applause. The moment they said his name until the moment he sat so you…definitely felt a moment there of support and love for that family,” said youth minister Chad Race.

The graduating class also showed their support for Dakota by wearing black ribbons on their graduation gowns.

“There was a lot of outpouring emotion… he received a lot of applause and rightfully so,” School Superintendent David Hopkins told KARK News.  “It took a lot of courage for him and his family to be here tonight and I know that’s where their dad would want them to be.”