Whitney M. Woodworth

Statesman Journal

It was another day of training for the 359th Basic Police Class, but on Thursday, the group of 38 recruits had an honorary member— a 7-year-old cancer survivor from Silverton.

Rianna Riegelmann, along with her mother, Lori Riegelmann; father, Peter Riegelmann; and brother, Noah Riegelmann, joined in on the fun at the Oregon Public Safety Academy.

She and Noah threw flash grenades with the SWAT team, played with a reconnaissance robot and gave commands to Salem police's police dog Enzo.

"She's had so much fun," Lori said. "We're just overwhelmed with gratitude."

Each basic police class has the opportunity to pick a service project, said Lt. Andrew Bechdolt, a training coordinator for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Some hold fundraisers for memorial projects or nonprofit agencies. The 359th class chose to sponsor a law enforcement day for Rianna and her family.

Rianna was diagnosed with leukemia in March. While undergoing chemotherapy, she and her family met Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputy Nick Bohrer, a volunteer with the Chemo Pals mentoring program. Bohrer introduced the Riegelmann family to Forest Grove recruit Officer Austin Adams, who pitched the idea of having Rianna become an honorary member of his basic class.

The recruits enthusiastically tackled the project, working to plan a full day of activities for the family. It took months to plan the project, Bechdolt said, adding that academy leaders love seeing recruits serve and build positive relationships with the public.

"We really try to encourage community involvement," he said.

Rianna began the day with an ambulance ride from the Silverton fire station. Metro West Ambulance medics helped her act as a medic to a gigantic teddy bear "patient." After her family arrived at the academy, the class helped Rianna and Noah gear up in police vests, hats, radios and handcuffs.

Salem fire brought a ladder truck and Life Flight flew in to give tours. After lunch and a graduation ceremony, during which police awarded Rianna a completion certificate for police training, Salem police's SWAT team and police dog unit stopped by in an armored rescue vehicle.

Rianna said her favorite part of the day was joining the recruits in police car chase on the academy's track.

Noah drove a Washington County Sheriff's reconnaissance robot, and SWAT members helped the children call out and toss flash grenades. Rianna was reluctant at first, but after big brother stepped up and threw one, she decided to join in.

Lori and Peter watched as the pair covered their ears and shrieked in delight after the boom and flash of light. SWAT team members gave the children high-fives as Lori snapped a photo.

Rianna is recovering and still frequents the hospital, but the family time at the academy was a chance to have a day of fun.

"It's been an amazing day," Lori said.

Email wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth