Farewells can be challenging, but they don’t always have to be a sad event.
Officer Ryan Tillman proved just this.
Tillman, who was a beloved school resource officer at Don Lugo High School in California, found himself at a crossroads when he was offered a promotion to become a Chino Police Corporal.
Despite his deep affection for the students and his role at the school, he couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity.
The task of informing the students about his departure was daunting.
However, Tillman was determined to make his farewell memorable rather than sorrowful.
He planned a surprise that would leave a lasting impression on the students.
So, what was his surprise?
Officer Ryan Tillman decided to dance.
With the support of the school’s principal and the dance team, he orchestrated a secret performance to be unveiled in the school gymnasium.
Speaking to NBC LA, Tillman said,
“I wanted to go out with a bang so I was like what better way to go out then with doing a dance.”
The grand performance was staged during an assembly at Don Lugo High School.
As the catchy tune of Lil Mama’s song “Lip Gloss” filled the gym, Officer Tillman and a group of dance students took center stage and began their performance.
The sight of an adult dancing in front of a crowd of teenagers could have been a recipe for disaster, but not in this case.
As it turns out, Tillman’s talents extend beyond his policing skills.
He proved to be an exceptional dancer, immediately captivating the students with his moves.
A fellow School Resource Officer (SRO) praised Tillman in the comments, saying,
“Congrats on the well-deserved promotion…Most people don’t understand the balance of the relationships SRO’s have with young people at their schools…If dancing with students builds bridges then so be it. Stay safe out there.”
The performance took an exciting turn when the music switched to “U Can’t Touch This.”
Officer Tillman demonstrated his ability to groove like it was 1990, mimicking MC Hammer’s iconic shuffle and earning himself some extra cool points with the students.
But he wasn’t finished just yet…
Throughout the performance, which was a medley of songs and dance moves, Tillman remained in the spotlight.
Impressively, he kept pace with the other dancers in every segment of the routine, all while donning his police gear.
One viewer commented,
“This is awesome 👍this is what we all need to see more of 👍”
Judging by the cheers and applause, it’s clear that Tillman’s dance moves were a hit.
His aim was not just to entertain, but also to express his gratitude to everyone at the school and to cast a positive light on police officers, as reported by NBC LA.
Beyond his roles as a law enforcement officer and a talented dancer, Tillman is also the founder of Breaking Barriers United, an organization aimed at mending the relationship between law enforcement and the community.
His farewell dance, which has garnered over 7.1 million views on YouTube, shows the strong bond he formed with the students at Don Lugo High.
One viewer commented, “Every city needs a cop like you! Good job!”
While saying goodbye was undoubtedly difficult, Officer Tillman managed to do it in a truly unforgettable way.
Check out the video below to see his epic dancing for yourself!
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