CENTENNIAL, Colo. — An effort by some Centennial kids to support law enforcement after the attacks in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., took on extra special meaning Monday.
They set up a lemonade and treat stand in the Willows neighborhood to raise money for a Lone Tree police officer Tyler Patten, who’s daughter died suddenly last week.
Luluana Patten was just 2 years old.
“This actually started with me having dinner with my triplets and they wanted to do something for Dallas and Baton Rouge,” Cpl. Michael Wagner said. “Then this tragedy hit close to home so we decided to convert this into Lulu’s Lemonade.”
“It just stemmed from my 12-year-old, who just wanted to give back,” Wagner said.
“We were really upset so we thought maybe we could help the police by giving some of the money we are earning to them and some of the money to Lulu’s family so we thought that was a good idea,” Wagner’s son Jack said.
Residents, first responders and members of the law enforcement community came together at the lemonade stand for Lulu and her family.
Officials have not said how Luluana Patten died.
The Patten family released a statement after her death:
“Two years was not nearly enough time with this infectious little smiler and there will never be a day we won’t miss the bounce of her curly pigtails or listen for her laughter. Though we know the sun shines a little brighter from Heaven now and we’ll see that smile again soon, this is an extremely hard time for all of us.”
To make a donation, family friends have set up an account through the Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union. The account is No. 23018248.