A 4-year-old boy fighting end-stage kidney disease lived out his dream as a cop for a day with the Orlando Police. Stone Hicks had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity last week to make his first two arrests to fulfill the dream of stopping bad guys in his community.
This touch of the magic moment was made possible by the Orlando police and the Make-a-Wish Foundation which gave the kindergarten lad the chance to wear a uniform and become a cop for a day, as reported by Daily Mail.
The dream became a reality for the devoted “Paw Patrol” fan on April 24, as he was sworn in as a police officer by the police chief in a joyous ceremony. Donning his new uniform, “Officer Stone” received cheers from a packed auditorium.
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The Orlando Police shared a snapshot of Stone in his patrol car, surrounded by fellow officers, celebrating his special day with the following message: “Stone, thank YOU for your courage, not only in helping us today solve crime but also being an inspiration to the entire community.”
The police staged a scene for the young Officer Stone to respond to two urgent calls from the police. First, he bravely retrieved a stolen puppy, chasing down the “thief” by car and on foot before making the arrest, earning a heartfelt hug from the pup’s owner.
Undeterred, Stone dashed back into a thriller-filled action pursuing another suspect accused of “stealing” the retired jersey of a former Orlando City Soccer star. Stone again located the “suspect” at the soccer stadium and, with the assistance of an adult, successfully handcuffed him.
Among the thrilled spectators were Stone’s family, delighted to witness their son’s dream come to life.
“Him being in the police cars, rushing to the bad guys and arresting them, it was a full-on experience for him, one I’m sure he won’t forget,” said Craig Hicks, Stone’s father.
And “Officer Stone” wasn’t shy about his impressive record as an Orlando cop.
“I was awesome,” he said.
Stone’s service was honored with a celebratory procession, featuring the Orlando Magic’s spirited band and cheerleaders, a proclamation from the city’s mayor, a commendation plaque from the police department, and a bag filled with exciting goodies, accompanied by a shower of confetti.
Even after retiring his hat and uniform, Stone enjoyed a day filled with adventures, including meeting beloved characters from his cherished show, “Paw Patrol.”
Anne Cuba, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, noted that such gestures for children facing serious illnesses are very important.
“[Stone’s] been battling end-stage kidney disease. Our kids go through so much when they battle their critical illness and we are really here to celebrate him and give him that hope and strength and joy,” Cuba said.
She continued: “What’s special is the wishes that we grant is it’s not just for the child, it’s really for the entire family because it’s not only the child battling the critical illness, it’s the entire family that has grown into this terrible situation.”
