FORT SILL, Okla., Nov. 27, 2020 — A group of Fort Sill police are making a huge impact with little acts of kindness. One such act was helping Charlotte Shinsako celebrate her fifth birthday Oct. 27 — the same day an ice storm froze post roads.

The Shinsako family couldn’t celebrate the way they’d hoped because of the icy conditions, but the officers’ visit made it special. With lights and sirens on, Officer Vaidehe Shah-Sellars, Officer Carmella Hill, Officer Chad Benner, and Capt. Lawson Guthrie showed up to say happy birthday and drop off a present.

“On my birthday, Officer Sellars brought me a big, big teddy bear,” Charlotte said with her eyes wide for emphasis.

“They didn’t have to take the time out of their day, especially given the road conditions, power outages, and amount of trees that had fallen all over the installation, but they did,” said Kristin Shinsako, Charlotte’s mother. “That’s what makes them amazing human beings and phenomenal assets to the Fort Sill Police Department.”

When asked how the officers knew it was Charlotte’s birthday, Kristin said it was because C Team of the Police Department has made it a point to help celebrate with the people they protect. Kristin said it was Officer Shah-Sellars’ driving influence, and because of it, their presence in the post neighborhoods has been a positive one.

“We met her when the pandemic started. She was patrolling our neighborhood and was just really good about building a rapport with everybody and just making her presence known, but in a positive way so kids weren’t afraid to approach her if they had questions or concerns.”

She added Shah-Sellars also made sure if she was training someone new, she would introduce that person to those in the neighborhood as well.

“They were given a mission to get involved in the community and they really did it. They went full bore,” said Fort Sill Police Chief Scott Cox.

Members of C Team coordinate these types of celebrations with the Fort Sill Fire Department as well, and any presents they offer are paid for out of their own pockets.

“I know they’re not out here to do things for recognition. They don’t have to do this, it’s not in their job description, but they do it.”

This is not the first time the officers made an event special for the Shinsako family. When Kristin’s oldest daughter was graduating high school, COVID-19 first hit and the ceremony was canceled. Her daughter set up a small ceremony for her and her friends on Polo Field, and Shah-Sellars and Officer William Whitlow from D Team stopped in and handed them their diplomas.

“To her and her friends that was really kind and really special, especially in a moment when the normalcy of high school was completely ripped away. It’s the small things that make the biggest difference,” said Kristin.

Other members of C Team are Officer Jose Lopez, Officer Charles Black, and Lt. Andrew Roberts.