A Fort Worth police officer with a superhero-sized heart says the children he strives to inspire are the true heroes.
"I love your superhero outfit. That is awesome!" Fort Worth Police Officer Damon Cole said to four-year-old Sailor Reitz outside the public safety complex Wednesday afternoon.
Sailor was dressed as The Flash, Officer Cole as Captain America. When you're meeting a superhero, you want to look the part and Cole came ready.
"I always tell them you're my hero and I want you to keep fighting for me," said Cole.
At the age of four, Sailor is already fighting the biggest battle anyone can face, in his own body.
"One evening I noticed a lump under his rib cage on the left side," said Sailor's mother, Tiffany Reitz.
It was a tumor in his liver. Sailor has now had surgery and four rounds of chemo, with two more coming in the next month.
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"It's awful seeing your baby like that," said Reitz. "You would never think that they would have to go through that."
But Sailor has a serious ally on his side.
"OK, I'm gonna tell you my secret, I'm also Superman, but don't tell anybody," Cole told Sailor in a whisper, before sweeping him off on a day of adventures.
It started with a Fort Worth firefighter badge and hat.
"I'm gonna make you an honorary firefighter so you can go fight fire and save the citizens of Fort Worth," said Fort Worth Fire Chief Rudy Jackson.
After a quick change, Sailor hitched a ride in a fire engine, to help put out a raging blaze on the fire department training grounds.
"All you gotta do is point," Cole said, while helping him hold the fire hose.
Then, with his first fire under his belt, Sailor headed off to switch sides.
"It says Fort Worth Police Junior Officer, real hero and that's you, because you're a real hero," Cole said, holding up a miniature replica police badge.
This time, Assistant Police Chief Ed Kraus swore him in as a new officer.
"You have to promise to be a good boy," Kraus said. "You have to promise to do what your mom says and you have to promise to always uphold the laws of the state of Texas, OK?"
Then it was off to a ride in a squad car, a SWAT car, and his own car in a training simulator – each experience boosting Sailor a little higher.
"He's having to deal with adult problems already and it's unfortunate, but kids like that don't get to be kids," Cole said. "And if I can make that child forget about having to go through chemo, or how it makes them sick, or whatever the case may be, that's what it's all about and that's why I do it."
Sailor ended the day giving back, handing Cole a T-shirt with the phrase “#CancerSucks.”
"It's so true," Cole said
But more than the gift, Sailor summoned power and strength beyond his years to share the lessons of true courage.
"He's an awesome little hero," Col said. "He's my hero."
