NSW Police grant terminally sick girl, 4, dream to be a cop for a day after brain cancer diagnosis
A terminally ill four-year-old battling the world’s most aggressive childhood cancer has lived out her dream of being a cop for a day.
Little Zoe is fighting Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an incurable brain cancer that strikes around 20 Australian kids each year.
There are no effective treatments for DIPG and current therapeutic strategies are essentially palliative with the average survival rate between nine to 12 months from diagnosis.
Last week, NSW Police invited Zoe and her mother Huyen to meet with lovable penguin Constable Charlie.
But just as Charlie and officers was presenting the four-year-old with a birthday present, a sly bandit pounced and and snatched the gift from their grasp.
Four-year-old Zoe, who is terminally ill, had her dreams come true after NSW Police transformed her into an officer (pictured) and took her on a special operation through Sydney to catch the thief who stole her birthday present
Zoe was quickly transformed into a NSW Police Force Junior Recruit and asked to help track down the thief in a high-speed chase across the city.
Footage of the special operation was shared on the NSW Police Force’s Facebook page on Thursday – to mark Zoe’s birthday.
The pint-sized police officer was seen chasing the bandit across Sydney Harbour with the help of the Marine Area Command.
The four-year-old even saw seals as she followed the thief in his black speedboat all the way to Manly where she then enlisted the help of the aviation command to catch the elusive thief.
The little girl was seen giving instructions to the pilot while wearing a miniature police vest and junior recruit beanie.
When asked if she wanted to see the Harbour Bridge, Zoe gave an excited ‘Yeah!’.
The pint-sized police officer was seen chasing the bandit across Sydney Harbour with the help of the Marine Area Command (pictured)
Zoe took to the air in a police helicopter and gave instructions to the pilot while looking for the thief (pictured)
Zoe went for one last ride in a black police car with the sirens on and the lights flashing as part of the last leg of the operation.
A specialist officer from the Tactical Operations Unit carried Zoe as they apprehended the birthday present thief.
Zoe’s mother Huyen said her daughter was very proud of herself and wants to be a police officer despite the hard work.
‘After the special day she [Zoe] concluded that “It was hard to be a police officer” but she is still sure that she wants to be a police officer in the future,’ Ms Huyen said.
Ms Huyen expressed her sincere gratitude to the NSW Police Force for making her daughter’s dreams come true.
‘Police have made her dream come true,’ Ms Huyen said.
‘We will continue to talk about her dreams and hopes regardless of what life brings because it keeps us going and getting through every day.’
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb commended Zoe’s courage during the special police operation.
‘Congratulations Constable Zoe, your bravery and smart police skills helped catch the bad guy,’ Commissioner Webb said.
‘On behalf of a grateful police force, I would like to thank Constable Zoe for her tremendous efforts.
‘I wish you a very happy birthday Zoe and send you a big Commissioner hug.’
Footage of the special operation was shared on NSW Police Force’s Facebook page. (pictured, Zoe and officers from the Tactical Operations unit apprehending the bandit)
The heartbreaking footage received more than 350 comments in just two hours as users commended the police for a wonderful job and wished the brave girl a happy birthday.
‘OMG, I’m crying, how absolutely beautiful. Zoe, Happy Birthday and a huge thank you to our wonderful police,’ one user commented.
‘What a beautiful thing to do for this courageous little girl…God bless you Zoe …thank you NSW Police,’ another user wrote.
A third user said: ‘How absolutely wonderful tears in my eyes. Thankyou NSW Police Force. This was brilliant and Constable Zoe your amazing.’
Zoe is fighting the most aggressive of all childhood cancers – Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. The special day was planned for Zoe’s birthday as she wishes to become a police officer when she grows up (pictured, Zoe with the ‘stolen’ birthday present)
Zoe is fighting the most aggressive of all childhood cancers – Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
