LAPLACE — Deputy Kendel Harris was named Officer of the Month for September by the St. John Business Association. He was honored during the Association’s meeting at Petra’s in LaPlace.

Harris was selected for showing generosity, love and compassion to a young boy who feared the police.

On patrol in a LaPlace neighborhood, a woman asked Harris to speak with her 5-year-old nephew who was afraid of police officers. Harris was happy to talk with the young boy, explaining a police officer’s job is to serve and protect — not to hurt people.

He told the boy deputies do not go to work wishing to shoot or arrest anyone.

“His generation is the future,” Harris said. “If we teach them right from wrong while they are young, they will change the world and make it a better place.”