By HEATHER RUPPE
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the Lowcountry, including Colleton County, came together on Saturday to honor the wish of a Dorchester County boy, who asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation to have his favorite people visit him – paramedics, police officers, Star Wars characters and superheroes.
On the morning of Saturday, July 14th, hundreds of firefighters, paramedics and Dorchester County residents came together to honor the 15-year-old teen. The boy, whose identity will remain unpublished, reached out to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and asked that he be visited by paramedics, law enforcement officers and firefighters.
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation received his wish, they contacted Lt. Rick Carson with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. In turn, Carson reached out to multiple law enforcement agencies. Two deputies from Colleton County also chose to participate in their off-duty time.
The boy is also a fan of Star Wars and superheroes. With that in mind, Star Wars characters also came to the boy’s neighborhood on Saturday. Arriving in a parade of cop cars, fire trucks and personal vehicles, they honored the boy’s wish and even brought him a new golf cart.
“When a boy asked to see superheroes, paramedics and cops, that’s what you do. It was our pleasure to honor his wish,” said Carson, who actually lives in the same neighborhood as the teen. “I didn’t do a whole lot here,” he said. “The real heroes are the ones who showed up, and Lt. Buckmon in my office, who helped to coordinate it. This actualy is the second teen in my neighborhood who has been part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and I’ve been fortunate to be involved with the organization.
“If you want to see grown men cry, watch the face of a boy who is asking for something this simple and then gets it. It was a life-changing experience for us.”
When asked about the two Colleton deputies who chose to participate in this event on their personal time, Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill said these are the types of acts that he encourages in his deputies. “Simple acts of kindness change people’s lives,” said Hill. “I’m grateful to work with outstanding deputies who continuously exceed expectations by showing the true meaning of what being a law enforcement officer is about; helping people.”
