A Florida police department has made college graduation day extra special for the daughter of a fallen officer by showing up in full force for the celebration.
Honor student Aleena Kondek graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida.
Tragically, her late father, Tarpon Springs officer Charles “Charlie” Kondek Jr., was not in attendance; he was killed in the line of duty in December 2014.
![Aleena with her late father's picture. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.kondek">Teresa Kondek</a>)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F05%2F18%2Ffallen-Tarpon-Springs-officers-daughter-college-graduation-1.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Yet Tarpon Springs Police Department (TSPD) made sure their fallen hero was represented at his daughter’s milestone event.
Officers from TSPD were joined by members of the University of Central Florida Police Department (UCFPD) to take photos with the happy graduate.
Aleena’s mother, Teresa Kondek, told The Epoch Times that Pasco County Sheriff’s Office also sent an honor guard to their house, and a Huey military helicopter performed a fly over to congratulate her daughter.
![The Pasco County Sheriffs Office sent an honor guard and a Huey military helicopter over to Aleena's house to congratulate her. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.kondek">Teresa Kondek</a>)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F05%2F18%2Ffallen-Tarpon-Springs-officers-daughter-college-graduation-4.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Following in her father’s footsteps, Aleena also worked at UCFPD while completing her college studies.
![Fallen Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charlie Kondek Jr. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.kondek">Teresa Kondek</a>)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F05%2F18%2Ffallen-Tarpon-Springs-officers-daughter-college-graduation-8.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
“Do great things, Aleena! Charge on!”
Aleena has hit the ground running. The young woman has accepted a job as a registered nurse at a prestigious hospital in Florida.
![Aleena (R) and her siblings stand next to the obituary pole with their dad's name. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teresa.kondek">Teresa Kondek</a>)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F05%2F18%2Ffallen-Tarpon-Springs-officers-daughter-college-graduation-10.jpg&w=1200&q=75)