Hey everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for all of you who have taken the time to check out my website. It means the world to me. 

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I wanted to share a little bit about my journey as a police officer from 1999 to 2020. It's a story that has led me to become a superhero for sick children. 

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Back in 2005, I started noticing that some kids would be scared whenever they saw a police officer. Being a big superhero fan myself, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. So, I took the Superman logo and put it on my bullet-proof vest. Whenever I interacted with kids, I would unzip my uniform shirt and show them the Superman logo on my vest. It was amazing to see their faces light up with awe and curiosity. They would often ask me where my cape was, and I would playfully tell them that I couldn't wear it with my uniform because it would get wrinkled. 

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In 2014, while working at the Dallas Police Department, I joined a group of officers who dressed up as superheroes for community events. It was another way for us to connect with the community we serve. But it was in early 2015 that my life took a profound turn. I learned about a 7-year-old boy named Bryce Schottel who was fighting lymphatic cancer. Bryce loved Superman, so I reached out to his family and got their blessing to visit him as Superman and Iron Man. 

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I took three vacation days from work and drove 11 hours to Smithton, Illinois, where Bryce lived. I spent around 4 hours with him and his family, making his day a little brighter. It was during this visit that I witnessed the harsh reality of childhood cancer. It made me think about my own daughter and what I would do if my family were in Bryce's shoes. 

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After spending time with Bryce and his family, I found my calling in life. I decided to use my blessings and pay it forward to help sick children and their families. The Dallas Morning News heard about what I did and published a story about it, which went viral. Families from across the United States started reaching out to me, asking me to visit their sick children as a superhero. 

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Since then, I have been to 25 states and seen thousands of sick children. I would save my sick time and work overtime to build up comp hours, so I could take time off to visit these brave kids. The police department never supported what I did as a superhero for sick children, but that didn't stop me. If I received an urgent request to see a dying child, I would do everything I could to make it happen. Sometimes I would drive, and other times I would fly. 

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Sadly, there were instances where I would visit a child and within hours of leaving, I would receive word of their passing. These children are the real heroes, and it breaks my heart every time. I have attended over twenty children's funerals as a superhero at the parents' request. It's something I don't keep track of because it’s not a number I want to remember.

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I am asked all the time - how am I able to do what I do? How can I go see sick or dying children? Well, let me tell you about my BFF's HERO Matthew Guinyard and how he changed my life forever. 

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It all started on a regular day at work when I received a phone call from a nurse at a hospital in Gainesville, Florida. She told me about HERO Matthew, a brave 7-year-old boy battling terminal cancer. His dream was to meet Spider-Man, and I knew I had to make it happen. I reached out to HERO Matthew's incredible mother, Abebi, who gave me her blessing to come and see her son. I immediately called my Sergeant and explained the situation, asking for a day off to fly to Gainesville. To my surprise, he approved it, and I booked a flight for the very next day. 

 

As I walked into HERO Matthew's room dressed as Spider-Man, his face lit up with pure joy. Despite his condition, he couldn't contain his excitement. I kneeled beside his bed, held his hand, and he asked me if we could be friends. I replied, "No, we are going to be best friends forever." Behind my mask, tears of happiness streamed down my face. For an hour, I sat with HERO Matthew, chatting, and laughing, making memories that would last a lifetime. It was a bittersweet moment when I had to leave and catch my flight back home, but I knew I had made a difference in his life, and he had made a difference in my life. 

 

The following day, I received a text message from Abebi, asking if I could call and talk to HERO Matthew. I immediately pulled over and dialed his number. Hearing his voice filled me with joy, and he told me how much he missed and loved me. I reciprocated those feelings, promising to visit him again soon. Little did I know it would be our last conversation. Abebi called me back an hour later, delivering the heartbreaking news that HERO Matthew had passed away. She shared that seeing him happy during our visit was a gift she would forever cherish. In that moment, I couldn't hold back my emotions. I parked my police car and cried my eyes out, overwhelmed by a mix of sadness and gratitude. 

 

But you know what, my friends? The reason I do what I do is because I know I made HERO Matthew and his family happy one more time. I know that if I were in their shoes, I would want someone to bring joy to my loved ones. It's a small act of kindness that can make a world of difference. 

 

So, let's spread love and positivity today. Let's be there for those who need it most, just like HERO Matthew and his family. Together, we can make this world a brighter place, one superhero visit at a time. 

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I just wanted to share this with all of you because it's a big part of my life and something I'm truly passionate about. If you want to learn more about the incredible children I've met, check out the "REAL HEROES" page on my website. Let's spread some positivity and support these brave kids and their families! Together, we can make a difference. Thank you all for your support!