Karlee Burdette straightened her many chords and sashes as she approached the lectern to speak at Thursday's Crescent High School graduation ceremony in Iva. The valedictorian looked to her left, to spy more than 30 Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputies monitoring her every move.“To know they’re here to support me and watch me give this ridiculous speech on stage? It means a lot,” she told WYFF News Four.The men and women in blue have stood by her side since she was 1 year old. That’s the year her father, Deputy Alex Burdette, died in the line of duty while directing traffic.“There’s nowhere else I’d want to be today,” Lt. Rusty Scogins, one of Burdette’s co-workers and closest friends, said. “She’s very humble. Her dad was a great police officer and he was very humble. He took everything so seriously. Everything, every day.” His baby girl takes things seriously, too. Karlee was so determined to be named valedictorian of Crescent High’s Class of 2021, she took a full load of college classes in addition to her senior year classes last fall. “I know my dad didn’t get to do all he wanted to in life, so I want to make sure I do everything I want to do in my life,” she shared.Her mother, Nicole Burdette, stood in awe, as officers embraced her daughter with victory hugs. “We’ve had valleys. That first year, I could barely get out of bed. I didn’t want this to screw my children up and hang over their heads for the rest of their lives,” she admitted. “She’s just like him…Life will throw all kinds of obstacles we don’t understand at all but don’t give up.”Karlee wore her father’s cap and gown for the graduation ceremony that took place on the very field where he graduated in 1994. The 18-year-old said she’s proud to carry on her father’s name and legacy. “It’s an honor really. I never feel burdened by it. I knew everything would be good today. He was there with me. Maybe not in the physical sense, but he was there on that stage with me," she said.Karlee will start elementary education studies at Clemson University this fall.