Stephanie Wang

The Indianapolis Star

INDIANAPOLIS — Sierra Bradway had the prom date, the corsage and the long, beautiful dress, which she wore with sparkly silver sneakers.

For those quintessential prom photos with her family, she headed to Crown Hill Cemetery.

Her dad, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer Rod Bradway, was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 20, 2013, while responding to a domestic violence disturbance on the city's northwest side.

His colleagues had remembered him as a man who "did everything for his kids."

"He sure loves being a daddy," a former colleague told an IndyStar reporter in 2013.

The Decatur Central High School student's prom pictures would be at her father's grave.

Sierra's date — who matched the deep blue hue of her gown with his tie and boutonniere, and her kicks with a pair of his own — is the son of a Marion County Sheriff's captain. His mother reached out to IMPD, asking for police officers to surprise Sierra at the cemetery.

By Sierra's side in her prom photos is IMPD Chief Bryan Roach. She smiles, cradling a photo of her father in her hands.

And in other photos, she's surrounded by dozens of police officers and sheriff's deputies.

They sent her off to her prom Saturday evening, wishing her a fun — and safe — night. And for her date, IMPD added a little reminder: "Have her home by 11 p.m.!"