A police officer’s infant son received a hero’s goodbye in Massachusetts on Thursday.
15-month-old Bryce Derosier got a police escort on his way home from the Children’s Hospital in Boston.
The toddler, who is the son of Jeremy Derosier, a police officer in Taunton, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with a severe mitochondrial disease and has been in ICU since February when he suffered a seizure associated with the illness.
Doctors induced a coma to help him recover but later said there was nothing else they could do, so Bryce’s family decided it was time to say goodbye.
“We’ve been spread thin,” Jeremy Derosier said. “My wife’s been staying in the hospital, and I’ve been commuting, so it’s good to have the family all back together.”
The procession traveled from the hospital to the Derosier family’s home in Norton, MA, with Bryce sleeping calmly in the backseat.
When the family got home, they were met with hugs from Jeremy’s fellow officers, who had been covering his shifts while he stayed by his son’s side. The toddler can now rest comfortably thanks to a special medical crib the officers set up.
“It’s a very, very difficult time for all the officers – a very heartfelt warmth going out to the family. They’re just trying to be as supportive as possible and be here for whatever their needs are,” an officer at Bryce’s homecoming said.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family with Bryce’s medical costs.
