Just hours after turning 7-years old, Tyler Seddon found himself becoming police chief of Burrillville, Rhode Island for the day.
Tyler is battling a rare form of leukemia for a second time and chemotherapy is not working on this round. So a convoy filled with hundreds of public safety officers from across the country helped take his mind off the cancer.
Weeks ago, Tyler's mom sent out Facebook messages asking firefighters and police officers to send him birthday cards. The Madera County Sheriff's Department responded with one that was filled with pictures and handwritten messages.
"As far as we're concerned, he's the hero here. So if he wants a birthday card, he's got a birthday card," said Erica Stuart of the Madera County Sheriff's Department.
So far, Tyler has opened 800 cards. He's also received tons of other gifts.
"I think it's amazing that there's so much support out there for one child," said Rachel Seddon-Dunn, Tyler's mother.
The celebration had its silly moments, but also took a serious tone. It served as a bone marrow registration drive. Tyler's heroes stepped up, hoping to save his life.
"One of us could have the cure inside of us. We're all here, so it's the best chance to get him the help he needs," said officer John Leddy of the Westerly Police Dept.
Prayers from everywhere go out to Tyler, including California's Central Valley.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed that if he licked this once, he's going to lick it twice," said Stuart.