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YPD sends care package to boy battling cancer
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
When city police found out a Rhode Island boy battling cancer wanted cards for his upcoming birthday from first-responders, they decided to go above and beyond.
The department’s two unions, the Youngstown Police Ranking Officers and the Youngstown Patrolman’s Association, modified one of its recruitment posters to tell 6-year-old Tyler Seddon of Pascoga, R.I., that they have chosen him as their hero.
Tyler is battling a form of leukemia, and turns 7 on Thursday. He has asked for cards from firefighters and police officers, and has been receiving them from across the country.
The Warren Police Department also has sent cards to the boy.
Youngstown police Capt. Jason Simon and Officer Michael Bodnar helped to get the poster blown up big enough for officers in the department to sign and wish Tyler a happy birthday. About 100 officers have signed the poster, Bodnar said.
For Bodnar, the project is personal. His 19-month-old son Dalton also has battled cancer.
“Having a child who recently fought cancer, it’s certainly tugged on my heartstrings, having personal knowledge of that feeling,” Bodnar said.
Simon said he wants Tyler to think he is wanted by the officers.
“It’s as if we were recruiting him for our police department,” Simon said.
Bodnar said he also likes the project because he knows a lot of children look up to members of the safety service forces, and it helps to keep himself and other officers focused on why they chose their careers.
“It is a good feeling, and it reinforces our commitment to our profession,” Bodnar said.
Simon said a lot of times police want to make themselves familiar with younger children so they are not afraid of the police. And this project, besides spreading some cheer to a sick child, is a good way to do that.
“When you have a young child who wants to be a police officer, you certainly want to encourage them and be a positive role model,” Simon said.
In addition to the poster, the officers are sending other items to Tyler, such as patches for the different police units, a model of a cruiser and other police-related items for children.