On Saturday, December 10, 10-year-old Neeley Pace had the opportunity to be an officer for a day with the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department. She was randomly chosen from participants at National Night Out for this experience.

After being sworn in by Officer Hernandez she was given her first big case – to locate and arrest the Grinch!

Officer Neeley started her shift with the obligatory donut pit stop before traveling to the locations where the Grinch was spotted. She also stopped at L.A. Cafe, Witham Anson Emergency Department, Whitestown Marathon, and the Whitestown Fire Department to investigate Grinch sightings.

Hot on his trail, Officer Neeley and Officer Hernandez received a lead he would be at Santa’s Workshop at the Whitestown Municipal Complex. It was there that they located and took the Grinch into custody without incident. He was booked into the Boone County Jail that evening after displaying him to all in the Santa Parade. Check out the video here.

Thank you to Officer Neeley for her service and hard work! We hope to see her application when she’s old enough to apply.