Local 243 officer gifts Easter surprise
Officer Adam Erskine of the Atlantic
County Sheriff’s Office Local 243 made
an out-of-state move for a child with
special needs a little easier on Easter
Sunday.
Officer Erskine drove eight hours to
surprise 12-year-old Anthony Nocito,
who moved from New Jersey to Grifton,
North Carolina in October, with signed
memorabilia from his favorite athlete;
Tony Hawk. Nocito, who is diagnosed
with Asperger’s Syndrome, was a former
student of Erskine’s in the D.A.R.E Program at his school, and the two developed a close bond.
“He's infectious. He's got a personality about him,” Erskine said. “There's
something there. He's had a tough life
and he still maintains such a positive,
loving attitude about everything about
life.”
Every day for two years, Nocito would
ask Erskine if he could get him an autograph from Tony Hawk. With a little
help, Erskine was able to get Nocito two
Tony Hawk autographs, including a
signed baseball cap. The 12-year-old’s
former classmates also pitched in and
designed miniature skateboards that