Special Olympics athlete Paul Nelson was recognized as an honorary junior officer by the Oak Park Police Department, March 11. Nelson, who is in eighth grade, is being featured in the Special Olympics “Cop on a Rooftop” fundraising campaign, along with Oak Park’s Sergeant Samantha Deuchler.
The patrol unit, detective division, and civilian employees plus members of the fire department all attended the celebratory pizza party in honor of Nelson, who has Down syndrome and competes in many Special Olympic sporting events.
Nelson received many gifts from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, including Green Bay Packers shirts and hat, a Duke University shirt, and an Amazon Fire TV Stick. Diagnosed with cancer, Nelson will undergo treatment soon.
