Girl Who Battled Cancer Dies Days After Becoming Honorary Police Officer
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 6-year-old girl with a rare form of cancer has died days after Chicago police granted her wish and made her an honorary officer.
Chicago police said they were notified Madison Pruitt passed away Sunday, four days after she got a visit from interim Supt. Eddie Johnson and dozens of officers.
Madison was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of muscle cancer, just after Easter 2015. She and her grandmother fought it, but it came back after Thanksgiving.
Last week, after a liaison with the hospice where she was staying called police and told them about her dream to be a police officer, Johnson and several dozen officers went to her home and granted her wish.
"I'm going to make it official and make you a lifelong Chicago police officer. Congratulations!" Johnson told Madison on Wednesday.
Madison watched from her front porch as officers held roll call in her yard.
Mounted police even made the trek. Officers lined the sidewalk, each with a red and blue balloon for Madison. She was not only presented with a Chicago Police uniform and hat, but a valor award and a medal of valor too.
Madison's grandmother shed tears during the presentation.
"I'm overjoyed with all this love for my baby," Nelson said.
Sergeant Ernest Spradley took the call from Madison's hospice social worker, to help make Madison's dream, come true.
"I kind of was anticipating we might be able to set up a little meet and greet for her, perhaps with one officer," said Lindsay Wooster, Journey Care Social Worker. "I never imagined that it would be this much so, it's pretty incredible for Madison."