A heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of the late, long-serving police veteran Christopher Manner was shared with his daughter, Kaila Manner, as a graduation surprise on the North Branford High School (NBHS) field on Monday, June 14.

As members of the NBHS Class of 2021 were called up to receive their diplomas, a long line of North Branford and Branford police department members in uniform entered the field ahead of the moment when Manner was to cross the stage and stood by, ready to congratulate her upon her graduation on behalf of their friend and her dad.

Chris Manner, who passed away in September, 2020, served as a North Branford Police Department (NBPD) Sergeant with 25 years on the force before retiring in 2011. In 2012, he returned to community policing as an officer of the Branford Police Department for eight years, where he served as a mentor to many. The true definition of a community police officer, Manner was also a longtime coach of several intermediate and high school level sports in both towns. On the day of his funeral, members of both police departments together with first responders and many community members lined the roadway outside of the North Branford Police Department to pay tribute as Manner's funeral cortege passed by.

"He passed away this past year as a result of having cancer -- he was a young man, 56 years old -- and Kaila graduated high school this year, so we wanted to pay tribute to her," NBPD Detective Rob Deko told Zip06/The Sound.

Surprise and gratitude was evident on Kaila Manner's face as she made her way past the line of officers and department members there to show their support, together with members of the Manner family. As she stopped to greet each officer and department member, they presented her with a white rose or purple carnation, building a bouquet in the school's colors as she collected them, together with congratulations and many hugs along the way, including one from NBPD Chief of Police Kevin Halloran.

"We asked folks that wanted to volunteer their time to come out here from the North Branford and the Branford police departments, and each individual passed her a rose or a carnation," said Deko, who organized the tribute. "Some of us had our families involved, we had our kids holding signs and little poster boards for her."

Deko said the tribute was a surprise for Manner.

"It was a surprise for her. Her mom knew, and Sgt. Manner's brother knew; and they were very happy and honored."

The biggest hug for Manner came from mom Lisa Douglas, waiting at the end of the receiving line with Manner's brother, Ashton, who held a framed portrait of their dad.

"It was beautiful. Thank you, all of you," an emotional Douglas told the officers afterwards.