(AP) — Omaha police have honored a 12-year-old girl who kept her cool when a burglar broke into her house while she was home alone.
Police gave Katelyn Allen an award for bravery and courage during an all-school assembly before 450 students at Westbrook Elementary.
Katelyn, a sixth grader, was home on spring break April 15 when she heard a bang at the back door. She took a cellphone into a bathroom, locked the door and called 911. When the burglar tried to break into the bathroom, she climbed out a window.
Officer Brian Vanderheiden, who responded to Katelyn’s call, says she responded perfectly. He called her the calmest person he’s come across when responding to a burglary call.
The burglar managed to run off.