Tewksbury Police Officers To Visit Boy With Cancer

The only thing on Dawn Norman's wish list this holiday season is that her 6-year old son Nathan lives to see another Christmas—and that his wish of receiving cards, letters and patches from as many police officers, fire fighters and EMTs is fulfilled. Why? Because police officers, fire fighters and EMTs happen to be Nathan's heroes.

As reported on New Milford Patch three years ago, Nathan, who lives with his family in Rustburg, Virginia, was diagnosed with brain cancer.

"I remember the doctor saying that there was an abnormality," Dawn Norman remembers. "The doctor kept telling me over and over that there was an abnormality and then it hit me. He was telling me that my son had cancer."

Like most little boys, Nathan loves to watch cops, firemen and EMT's speed to calls in shiny cars and trucks—sirens blaring and lights flashing—making no stops as they race to save people. 

This Christmas, Nathan is calling upon these heroes to make his wish come true by sending him cards, letters and patches —anything with a first responder insignia.

One of the departments responding to Nathan is the Tewksbury Police Department.

According to WHDH 7News, a Burlington Police officer heard of Nathan's wish and decided he wanted to help make his Christmas dream come true.

“One of our detectives heard of the wish and started a card around the department,” Sgt. Gerard McDonough, Burlington Police Department, told Channel 7 News. “Our honor guard got together and thought it would be a good idea to personally deliver the card to Nathan and his family.”

But word of the good deed spread and, according to Burlington Police Officer James Tigges, police departments all over New England have gotten into the action, including Woburn Police.

The Tewksbury delegation includes six officers and two cruisers filled with donations, gifts and a giant car for Nathan. The Tewksbury officers on the trip are Det. Lt. Ryan Columbus, Officer Robert Bjorkgren, Officer Paul Nicosia, Officer Edward Jackman, Officer Andrew Richardson and Det. Michael Donovan.

The caravan includes the Wellesley Police Department, who are currently running a UStream from their dash cam on the ride down to Virginia. Police also say that Chief Terrence Cunningham has a surprise for Nathan when he arrives.

According to the @NewtonPolice Twitter feed, the caravan is flying green and white ribbons to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Conn.