Mother grateful for police chief’s actions

My son and I went to the new library opening on Aug. 24. Problem was he was “asking” me a whole bunch of questions and I was trying to get to the library and taking some wrong turns. We got to the library and parked right in front, but he would not come with me. I started walking up the sidewalk and he still didn't come. I tapped on a Cedar Rapids officer's shoulder and asked if he might be willing to talk to my son (he is autistic, I said, and can't stay in the car, but he is upset). He did and my son came out and the officer stayed with us all the way inside and until my son said he was OK.

On Sunday, I was talking to my parents about it and said I thought his name was “Officer Jarmen.” My son said that the officer said he was “the chief.” So it appears we had chatted with Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman. He was very kind to Alec and got him calmed down.

I hope he knows how much I appreciated it.

Debra Matzat

Cedar Rapids