Local police officers come together to help former Chapel Hill officer battling brain tumor
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- From Kentucky to North Dakota, law enforcement patches have poured into the Chapel Hill Police Department headquarters since Christmas.
Retired Officer Tom Mitchell is the reason why.
He served on the force for more than 15 years, working his way up to a prized spot on the SWAT team. A brain tumor would cut short the rising officer's law enforcement career.
"We've struggled with his battle," said Officer Eric Dallin. "Seeing a great officer not be able to do what he wants to do for a living has been a challenge."
Four brain surgeries later, Mitchell now has limited short term memory.
"Tom remembers us and he remembers the police department," explained Dallin. "He remembers his friends, the adventures that we had. So all of that is intact."
What's missing is his recollection of the last three years of grueling treatment. His fellow officers consider it a mixed blessing. Mitchell, who is now receiving hospice care, is unaware of his prognosis. In fact, he still believes he's a SWAT team member.
"In Tom's mind, Tom's still a police officer," said Dallin. "According to his mother, he wakes up and puts his uniform on and says, 'I gotta get to work.'"
Mitchell told his family he wanted "the police department" for Christmas. His longtime friend Dallin went to work, posting a public plea on social media to make Mitchell's wish come true.
The response has been overwhelming, extending well beyond North Carolina's borders. Handwritten letters from officers from across the country detail stories of courage and valor in the line of duty along with words of encouragement for Mitchell.
A fun-loving, dedicated and passionate marksman has become the target of love and support from strangers.
"If Tom can go through what he's been through and still want to say all I want to do is serve, how can we not do something to say, "thank you."
A group of Chapel Hill officers drove Monday to Mitchell's hometown of Carthage, NC to hand deliver all of the donations, including a check from a statewide law enforcement group to help pay for a new wheelchair lift.
