ALFRED — There are birthday celebrations — and then there are big birthday celebrations — with lots of people, a cool cake, and the chance to learn how to lift fingerprints. Getting to the party for the birthday boy was cool too, in a York County Sheriff’s Office cruiser.

On Thursday, David Smith of Shapleigh marked his birthday in style, with all those things, and the applause of several uniformed deputies, support staff and a speech by Chief Deputy Thomas Baran.

“I’m loving it,” said Smith.

A student at Massabesic High School, Smith, now 19, has had a fascination and appreciation for law enforcement from an early age, said his mother, Donna Smith. Some of of that can be attributed to his participation in Special Olympics since age 6, a program heartily supported by law enforcement across Maine. As well, she said, he has a good relationship with the Massabesic school resource officer, Deputy Jason Solomon.

There is a family connection, too. Years ago, Ken Smith, David’s father, served as a sheriff’s deputy for about four years, he said as he watched his son enjoying the afternoon.

A law enforcement patch collection that Smith began as a 4-H Club member has grown and contains patches from around the country and around the world.

How many?

“Over 100,” he said.

“He draws, and so he draws pictures of York County sheriff’s deputies,” his mother said, and the drawings are mounted on his bedroom wall.

Baran said he and Sheriff William L. King met Smith at the Acton Fair last August, where King was a judge in the skillet throwing contest, and Donna Smith was one of the contestants. Baran said he and Smith talked, and it was apparent that the young man had an appreciation for all things related to law enforcement. Baran on Thursday said when his caseworker asked what he wanted for his birthday, Smith replied he’d like a tour of the sheriff’s office. The men and women of the agency decided to make that happen, and a whole lot more.

Besides a cake in the shape of a deputy’s hat and cupcakes, all made by civil process clerk Tatum Reynolds, there was a big, colorfully-wrapped box with Smith’s name on it.

He carefully removed the wrapping paper and opened the box — to find a genuine sheriff’s office dress hat — the one with a wide brim. He quickly put it on.

“This means you’re part of our team,” Baran said.

“His love of law enforcement could not be surpassed,” said Donna Smith.

There was a tour of the office, and later, detectives Corey Sweatt and Josh Morneau guided Smith on how to carefully brush fingerprint dust on a soda bottle to lift prints — in this case, ones his brother Jacob had made.

It was a good day for everyone, said Baran.

“This is good thing for us as well,” Baran said, pointing out that law enforcement officers in the course of their jobs often see the bad side of human behavior. “This is great for us to be part of, and it makes a difference in someone’s life.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.