Touching Story of Surrogate Dad Cops Making Kindergartener's Dream Come True: Watch

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P.J. Hill always wanted his police officer father by his side on his first day of kindergarten.

A stray bullet in an April 2013 shootout with a murder suspect found its way to Detroit Police Officer Patrick Hill’s head, shattering that dream. The police officer died in October of that year after lingering in a coma for months.

But last week, young P.J.’s surrogate fathers stepped in. With a full police motorcade, including armored vehicles, he and his sister arrived at their Detroit school with their father at least spiritually by their sides.

“I think it’s a good representation of Big Patrick because I think that, although physically not here, spiritually he is always with us,” P.J.’s mother, Deodge Hill, told WPXI-TV. “And then to have all of the people that he worked with — because he absolutely loved what he did — to come and be here was just even more presence.”

By all accounts, Hill, who was 37 when he died, was a real-life hero.

“Patrick was real police: hardworking, dedicated, intelligent, consummate professional and ideal teammate,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said at his funeral, according to a story in the Detroit Free Press archives.

“His teammates loved Patrick for his work ethic, great sense of humor and for knowing they could always depend on him to have their backs when needed,” Craig said. “As always, Patrick always put team first before any of his individual goals. …”

Last week, the fallen officer’s colleagues reminded P.J. they will always have his back, too, that the blue line is as impermeable for him today as it was for his father.

“He has one central father, and he always will,” Sgt. Gregory McWhorter said, “but he always has surrogate fathers — many, numerous — throughout the police department.”