Stoughton Police Officers Part of Local Convoy Visiting Virginia Boy With Cancer

Members of the Stoughton Police Department, along with Police Departments from all across the Massachusetts are helping to make the Christmas season extra special for a 5-year-old Virginia boy fighting cancer.

The only thing on Dawn Norman's wish list this holiday season is that her 5-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 fightesr 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 a rare form of brain cancer.

"I remember the doctor saying that there was an abnormality," Dawn Norman recalls. "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 police officers, 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.

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.

Nearly 50 police agencies from all over New England gathered at the Burlington Mall Wednesday morning and left as a group (caravan) to visit Nathan in Virginia.

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

Sgt. John Bonney origanized Stoughton's group of officers. He is joined by Sgt. Dan McGowan and Officers Jen Sullivan, Tony Pascarelli and Joe DeSousa, SPD executive officer Robert Devine said.