First responders go all out to fulfill terminally ill boy's last wishes

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Lt. Matt Freeman and Officer Eric Osattin, along with about 270 officers in about 120 cruisers, had driven from from Marblehead (Massachusetts) to Rustburg (Virginia) for more than 11 hours, to fulfill the wish of a terminally ill 6-year-old boy.

Nathan Norman has been dealing with a lot for much of his short life.

Recently, his family learned that his cancer tumors had not only returned but were growing,

Norman had then asked his family to decorate for Christmas early, a wish with which his family complied. Norman family's neighbors also joined in, decorating their own homes. Others further away sent the family photos of their homes in full holiday regalia and dedicated their trees in Nathan's honor too.



That effort soon morphed into the Normans receiving Christmas cards from strangers — including police, fire and emergency medical personnel.

A Burlington, Massachusetts officer, Sgt. Jerry McDonough, learned of the situation and began to rally his fellow officers across the state through their computer network to go above and beyond the call of duty to meet the boy's wishes.

Freeman and Osattin felt compelled to join the effort - at their own expense and using their personal time. And when other people got wind of what they were planning, they were inspired to go above and beyond to help them on their way too.

The V.H. Blackington Badge Company of Attleboro put a rush order on a customized Marblehead police badge for Nathan. A Revere firefighter who owns the Ledge Design Company of Chelmsford, himself a brain-cancer survivor, added a Marblehead Police mountain-bike patrol polo shirt complete with shoulder patches and Nathan's name and a badge embroidered on it. Penny Wigglesworth contributed stuffed bears from her Penny Bear Co., one dressed in a police officer's uniform.

Then, Freeman and Osattin learned that their fellow officers from the police union had also voted to reimburse them for all the expenses they would incur during their trip.

Police Chief Bob Picariello also played his part. He mentioned the trip at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor. Although he did not ask for donations, members were spontaneously reaching for their wallets at the suggestion of member Rick Settelmeyer.

While Freeman and Osattin were starting to get a sense of the local support for their efforts, they still couldn't be sure how many other officers would be meeting up with them at the Burlington Mall at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Soon after arriving, however, it became obvious that the grand gesture was being greeted with similar enthusiasm by cities and towns across the state. About 270 officers in about 120 cruisers had turned up eventually!

The convoy left Burlington around 6:30 a.m. Along the way, the officers noticed people pulling over to the side of the road to take photos of the procession. When told what was going on, some people started to cry while others offered handshakes and other expressions of thanks, according to Freeman.

The Norman family had been told that a "few officers" from New England would be bringing Christmas cards but had been left largely in the dark by the magnitude of the effort. Other than a captain in the Lynchburg,Virginia police department and one close family friend, the convoy was a well-guarded secret.

Because Rustburg would probably have been overwhelmed by the procession of police vehicles, arrangements had been made for the family to be brought to Liberty University the following day.

Once the family had arrived, the 3-to-4-mile-long procession of police vehicles began to make its way to the campus. Due to the hilly terrain and undulating roads, Freeman said the effect was that of a "huge, flashing blue Slinky" making its way into town.

"The family was so blown away by the army of officers that greeted them, their jaws dropped. There was hardly a dry eye to be found," Freeman added.



Nathan drew laughs when he requested all the officers to jump up and down on one foot, an order with which they dutifully complied.
Freeman said that perhaps most memorable for him was when Nathan's father took the mega-phone and led the group in a prayer — not for his son, but for everyone in uniform.

"It was pretty powerful," Freeman said.

Osattin said he would not soon forget his interaction with Nathan and his family.

"They're amazing people, filled with spirit and faith," Osattin said.

The event did not last long. Though exhilarating, it was also a bit overwhelming and understandably exhausting to Nathan, who has resumed cancer treatment.

As quickly as they arrived, the officers were back on the road, heading back to their jobs with their spirits brightened by the good deed. All arrived safely, according to Freeman, with no problems along the way.