Milwaukee police officer Charles Irvine Jr.’s sudden death in the line of duty deeply affected the entire community.
Irvine, just 23 years old, suffered fatal injuries while pursuing a suspect.
A memorial was set up outside the station house of Police Department District 4 where Irvine served.
When 12-year-old Avant Turner passed by this memorial, he saw an abundance of flowers and other gifts strewn on top of a police squad car parked there, so many that the teen almost couldn’t see the vehicle underneath.
When Avant looked more closely to see who the memorial was honoring, he felt shock and disbelief when he saw Officer Irvine’s photo nestled among the floral bouquets.
That’s because he had personally meet this policeman and formed a unique bond of friendship with him that most neighbors weren’t aware of.
That’s when Avant decided to do something special. He continued onto school and began writing a letter to Officer Irvine.
Then he deposited this handwritten note it at the officer’s memorial.
Others passing by were very touched when they saw Avant’s letter, expressing the youngster’s thanks to the fallen policeman “for being my best friend”, accompanied by a hand-drawn heart.
