It’s no secret that police officers sometimes have to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep the public safe. And while their memories live on through their commitment in service to the community, unfortunately their family members and friends are the ones that are left behind to grieve.

Take 8-year-old Mikayla Raji, for instance. Her police officer dad was tragically killed in the line of duty when her mom was pregnant with her. It’s a sad situation, but the girl is finding her own way to honor her deceased father.

Unfortunately, Mikayla never got the opportunity to meet her daddy in blue, but that doesn’t stop her from having a clear opinion of who he was as a person. When asked what she thinks of the late Officer Raji, the girl says, “I think he was a good man ‘cause he kept people safe.”

In 2008, Mikayla’s mom, Mimi Jimenez-Raji, was also working as a police officer when she got the devastating news that her husband had been killed by a drunk driver during a routine prisoner transport. What makes the circumstances even more crushing is the fact that Mimi was only a couple of months along in her pregnancy.

Knowing this heartbreaking information at such a young age could do a lot to a kid’s psyche. We imagine that it wouldn’t be totally unrealistic for a child in her position to react in anger, but instead, Mikayla has made it her mission to reward officers like her mom and dad.

As a matter of fact, this Jersey girl recently saw a man in uniform walk into the restaurant in which she and her mother were eating when she decided to make the officer’s day. After making some idle chit-chat with the Jamesburg PD cop, she whispered to her mom that she wanted to buy Ptl. Quinn his dinner.

Tickled by her request, Mikayla’s mom obliged, paying for the officer’s meal on the down-low, instructing the server to tell him that his bill had already been “taken care of.”

After doing a bit of detective work, the officer was able to figure out who had picked up the tab. When he realized that it was none other than the grade-schooler he had exchanged a few words with in the restaurant, he knew he just had to give the gesture the attention it deserved, so he wrote about his story on the department’s Facebook page.

How Jamesburg PD paid it forward

After discovering who was behind the sweet gesture, members of the Jamesburg PD thought that it was Mikayla’s turn to receive some good fortune in the form of an education fund. Since posting this fundraiser to GoFundMe, the officers have been able to raise over $13,500 of their $20,000 goal!

Though the youngster admits that she hasn’t exactly picked out her dream university yet, it’s clear that she is thankful for this astonishing kindness.

To watch the heartwarming meeting between generous Mikayla and the Jamesburg PD, be sure to click on the video below. It’s sweet to know that this little one wants to give back at such a young age. Go Mikayla!

What do you think of Mikayla’s good deed? Have you ever performed a kind gesture for a member of law enforcement? Were you close with someone who lost their life to a drunk driver? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!