Couple with down syndrome gets special escort on wedding day

BEAVERCREEK — A Beavercreek couple ended up in the back of a police cruiser on their wedding day, by choice!

RELATED: PHOTOS: Police escort ‘just married’ couple with down syndrome to reception

Community Engagement Officer Mark Brown escorted John and Shanae Rush, who both have down syndrome, from their ceremony to their reception in his squad car. Along the way, they stopped to take pictures at a firehouse.

“It’s just one of those moments you know individually as a person, but also as a police officer, just you can’t put into words,” Officer Brown said. “Just to have that kind of impact and relationship with somebody just was a really good feeling and an awesome experience. I was proud to be a part of it.”

The bride, Shanae Rush, said the escort was “awesome.”

After, the newlyweds celebrated with family and friends.

“It was a perfect time,” groom John Rush said.

His parents are also excited about the match.

“John was always the biggest blessing and now we have double,” John’s mother, Dawn Brown said.

She said the two are best friends.

“We’ve always prayed for someone to come to John, and it happened and now he’s married,” Dawn Brown said.

The couple will continue living with John’s parents in their Beavercreek home.