Writers Tricks of the Trade Issue 3 Volume 9 | Page 14

him, the one thing he really wanted to be,
was beyond his reach? No parent ever
wants to dash their child's dream. They
never told Danny he could not be a police
officer.
One day in August 1995, Danny woke
up with what appeared to be a cold. His
parents looked after him that morning.
John was sitting on the bed with Danny
when Danny collapsed. He stopped breath-
ing. He had developed a heart infection,
myocarditis. His parents called 911 and
Danny's heroes – the Nassau County Police
responded. They came with their patrol
cars and ambulances. John gave his son
CPR. All the officers helped, doing whatever
they could. They rushed their friend, the
child who wanted to be just like them, to
the hospital.
Doctors did their best, but to no avail.
There had been no heart beat for 40
minutes. John was in the room with Danny.
John held Danny's hand and told him to
keep fighting. The monitor gave a few
beats, and then it was over. If you have ever
tried to save a child's life and lost, you
know how devastating that is. Few people
know the agony of parents trying to save
their own child, and losing that battle.
As devastated as they were, John and
Kathleen decided to let Danny give the gift
of sight to people in need. His corneas were
harvested, and taken to other hospitals.
Danny, who never stopped doing nice
things for other people would now let two
other people see the world through his lov-
ing eyes.
At the funeral home, John and Kathleen
were amazed to see how many people Dan-
ny had touched. His wake was attended by
F ALL 2019
almost one thousand people. It seemed like
everyone came to pay their respects. His
friends and relatives, the school bus driv-
ers, his teachers from school, and of course
his special friends - his police officers, all
came to say goodbye to their friend.
The day of Danny's funeral was a typical
summer day on Long Island. It was hot, and
the sun was shining brightly. Danny re-
ceived full police honors from his friends –
his police officers. Members of the Emer-
gency Service Bureau were his pallbearers.
There were rows of police cars in the
driveway of the church. Police Officers
stood at attention and rendered a salute
while the bagpipes played. School Crossing
Guards stood in formation at the entrance
to the church. A police motorcycle escort
led the procession to the cemetery. When
the cortege entered the cemetery, a special
honor guard was waiting for Danny. He was
met by mounted officers on their mounts
and an honor guard of his friends from
Emergency Services. All the officers were
saluting and crying at the same time.
Heaven's police department hired a special
little policeman that day.
A few months after the funeral, Kath-
leen and John wanted to share Danny with
the people who received his eyes. They con-
tacted the eye bank and asked if a meeting
could be arranged. It is a complicated task,
and it takes time. It is the recipient's deci-
sion whether or not to meet the family.
After a while a letter arrived. A young
man, one of the recipients, wanted to meet
Kathleen and John. He wanted to thank
them for allowing Danny's cornea to be do-
nated, and giving him the gift of sight. Kath-
leen and John wanted to let this young man
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W RITERS ’ T RICKS OF THE T RADE