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Officer who told student his parents died attends his graduation
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Ellison told 12 News that telling Kazzie that his parents were killed was one of the most difficult of his career. He kept his promise to be there at graduation. Kazzie walked across the stage to a standing ovation and Ellison was waiting to give him a hug. - photo by Tracie Knabe Snowder
ORANGE, Texas On May 24, Lt. Eric Ellison had to tell 18-year-old Kazzie Porter that his parents were killed by a drunk driver less than a week before he was to graduate from high school.

Riley and Emily Portie were out riding their motorcycles in their hometown of Orange, Texas, Sunday, May 24, when a pickup truck crashed into them, according to 12newsnow.com.

Kazzie was the only one at home when Ellison showed up to give the devastating news. When Kazzie, the youngest of his five siblings, mentioned he didnt know what he was going to do, Ellison already had an answer.

I said, You are going to walk, Ellison told BuzzFeed News. Your mom and dad will have front-row seats looking down from heaven, and Ill stand in their place. Ive got your back.

Ellison told 12 News that telling Kazzie that his parents were killed was one of the most difficult of his career. He kept his promise to be there at graduation.

Kazzie walked across the stage to a standing ovation and Ellison was waiting to give him a hug.

Blake Henning, Kazzies older brother, captured the moment on camera.

"This was such a special moment. Thank you class of 2015 for making this such a memorable occasion for our family. So proud of you @kazz418 I love you so much. Throughout all of this you have been so strong and we are so proud of you. Thank you for being such a great brother. I am so excited to see what the future holds for you. I know mom and bubba are so proud of you. Again, love you brother and thank you for being who you are. Kazzie Portie" (Posted by Blake Henning on Saturday, May 30, 2015).

If you didn't have a wet eye you needed to check your pulse, The Montagne Center was the loudest I ever heard it, Ellison told 12 News. The class of 2015, 245 seniors and their families, on their feet and everyone right behind him.

Kazzie told Buzzfeed that it meant the world to him that Ellison came to his graduation.

It was so nice to see that he actually showed a genuine care for me and my familys situation instead of us just being another case,'" she said.

Ellison shared his support for Kazzie on Facebook.

"This picture sums up, why LIFE matters. If you were at the LCM Graduation today you could feel the love shown by the Class of 2015." (Posted by Eric Ellison on Saturday, May 30, 2015).
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