NACOGDOCHES (KYTX) -- The 8-year-old boy who led investigators to an arrest in the case of a stolen plane is honored Tuesday.
"Madi, this is presented to you on behalf of me, as the sheriff of Nacogdoches County and all my officers here, in appreciation and recognition of what you did."
When a Cessna 182 went missing from the Athens Municipal Airport in late January, 8-year-old Madi Simmons started keeping an eye out for it.
His family lives right by a landing strip in Nacogdoches County.
About a week later, Madi spotted it and told his parents, leading the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office to the arrest of the pilot, 55-year-old Terry Lynn Boozer.
"I think it's pretty cool," Madi said.
His mother, Fern Simmons, says she hopes her son's actions will inspire other children to help law enforcement, instead of rebel against them.
"I'm proud that he was recognized and able to help out the sheriff's department and be a good citizen," Fern said. "Maybe he'll be an example for other kids."
Sheriff Thomas Kerss said these kinds of days remind him why he loves his job.
"To be able to do something positive in the day is what makes you go home at night and be able to appreciate the things that we do and the wonderful citizens who we represent," he said.
And Madi already has plans for his new plaque.
"Hang it on the fireplace or something," he said.
"Hopefully it's something he can go back and tell his friends about," Kerss said. "We can use this as a positive example for others who are in his age group to realize that they can be a valuable part of helping us fight crime in the community."
Terry Boozer remains in the Nacogdoches County Jail tonight on more than $160,000 bond on theft, drugs and weapons charges.
