KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - To the adults gathered at the Downtown Island Airport on Wednesday afternoon, the helicopters inside the westernmost hangar were simply part of the aviation unit of the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
But to 3-year-old Joshua Collins, they were "bat copters" helping to ward off the world's evil.
The youngster from Rocky Top has developed an interest in Batman and thinks every law enforcement officer is the superhero, so his mother has taken him to visit several police departments. But Wednesday's stop was special because he was getting to see a "bat copter."
"I want to sit in that one," Joshua excitedly said after arriving in a Batman T-shirt and sneakers and spotting the first helicopter.
In the spirit of Santa Claus as well as Batman, Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones willingly obliged and gave him a royal tour of the air craft after presenting him with an official department badge and patch. He also was given an official flying helmet and later a ride on a department all-terrain vehicle around the tarmac.
Joshua also held a news conference for the several media members, telling them he was ready to go sit in the plane he spotted a few feet away, hinting he was just getting started having fun.
According to his mother, Jessica Collins, the boy's interest in Batman came after he saw some television shows about the superhero and then stopped by a Pilot convenience store back in the spring.
A K-9 officer from the Knoxville Police Department was there, and Joshua saw him, talked with him and suddenly believed he was talking to Batman.
"It was almost like a light bulb went off in his head, and it's gotten bigger and bigger every time he sees a policeman," his mother said.
Through the police department, they learned of the Sheriff's Office's aviation unit and were able to line up the tour. Jessica Collins said they also hope to go visit other area police departments, "if he is good."
For Sheriff Jones, Joshua's visit was a fun part of a job that admittedly can sometimes be quite taxing and stressful.
"This was a funner day than most," he said with a smile as the tour was winding down. "We enjoy the lighter side of our job. A lot of time it's hectic."
He also admitted he shares with Joshua an admiration for Batman, saying he liked him growing up and even had a poster of him in his office when he worked in the narcotics division.
"I just wish he could really fly," the sheriff added with a wink.
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Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com