OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) — Cadet Elijah Duplechin is showing his community that down syndrome cannot stop your dreams, as he becomes the first person with a disability to graduate from the Opelousas Junior Police Program. 

Duplechain was one of 15 cadets to attend the six-week program that taught them all about discipline, respect and the work ethic needed to be a great leader in the community.

While bringing smiles to the officers who worked with him, Police Chief Graig LeBlanc says he also brought his cadets together as they all grew to be friends in the program.

"The acceptance from the kids that he was just welcomed by, and they all became big brothers, big sisters, and it just shows you what's capable in the community," LeBlanc said.

As officers and instructors cheered Elijah on and shared heartfelt memories from the experience in the program, Elijah's mother Elizabeth says she cannot help but smile when she sees the impact her son made on so many lives. 

"I'm very proud of him," said Duplechin. "I'm very proud. I'm emotional. He talks about it every day, he's so excited to go back to the police academy." 

When we asked, Elijah said he wants to be a police officer for OPD when he grows up.

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