Long Beach Island Local 175 fulfills a last wish n by Jason Cohen
Patricia Kelly wanted to go on the beach one last time before she passed away. In March, Long Beach Island Local 175 made sure this happened.
Kelly, 78, of Burlington City, had been in hospice care with a terminal diagnosis of acute leukemia. She was diagnosed in December and was given six months to live. Not knowing how much time she had left, Local 175 sprang into action.
The Ship Bottom Police Department, whose officers are part of the Local, worked with Kelly’ s daughter-in-law, Stephanie Corbin, to arrange this special occasion. Chief Paul Sarkey and Sergeant Michael Nash selected Officer Ronald Holloway to help Kelly fulfill her last wish.
“ I have never done anything like this before,” Holloway disclosed.“ Deep down inside, I was fearing doing this. I thought I was going to make the situation worse. I knew I would be the one crying.”
Holloway explained that being a law enforcement officer means always being friendly, greeting people and always wanting to help others. Therefore, when his supervisor asked him to be part of this important opportunity, he knew it was his duty.
According to Holloway, the original plan was to take Kelly on the beach in a golf cart, but the weather on March 4 did not acquiesce. It was a blistering 25 degrees, so he decided to use his Chevy Tahoe instead.
“ It was way too cold to bring someone in her condition on the beach,” he remarked.
Holloway met Kelly and seven of her family members and friends on 17th Street, near the police station. He immediately wrapped Kelly in a big blanket and planted a big hug and kiss on her.
Kelly rode in the front seat as they drove on the beach from one end to the other. The excitement and the enthusiasm was more than palpable. Kelly was full of life and that seemed to bring life to the entire group. They stopped to take some pictures. After the excitement calmed down a bit, Holloway asked Kelly if she wanted to take another pass on the beach, but she declined.
However, the experience was not over. The women had one more request. They asked to be driven back to their hotel in the police car. With the sirens on and eight exuberant women in the car screaming, Holloway drove them six blocks to 25th Street.
“ In my mind, it was as exciting as driving on the beach,” Holloway said.“ It was a good time for all of us. It’ s something that I’ m going to carry with me to the end of my career and beyond.”
Holloway, 46, who has been a law enforcement officer for 16 years, said he didn’ t do anything out of the ordinary. He recalled that while it felt basically like another day of serving,
70 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ MARCH 2017
Long Beach Island Local 175 member Ronald Holloway with Patricia Kelly.
he quickly became the talk of the town and his family was quite impressed.
On March 16, he spoke to Corbin and was told Kelly had very little time remaining. He left Kelly a voicemail and later spoke to her on the phone. She remembered Holloway and sounded in good spirits, but he did not know her condition.
“ Even though she knew death was near, she still had so much joy,” Holloway shared.“ This moment will be in my heart forever. I was glad that I was chosen. She just made an incredible impact on my life." d