Law enforcement is not always about catching the bad guy; it is also about reaching out to our community and making a difference. A Los Angeles County Deputy meets many people from all walks of life on any given day. As deputies, it is our goal to make a positive impression in the lives of those people. But sometimes, one of those people, in this case 14 year-old Patricia Moore has made a deep and lasting impression on Palmdale Station.
Patricia, who is terminally ill with cancer, has the most amazing perspective on life and brings happiness to anyone who meets her. Patricia entered our lives a couple of months ago when Patricia’s mother, Shannon Moore, contacted Palmdale station asking if we could help complete her daughter’s “bucket list” by taking her on a ride-a-long. After hearing about her courageous fight with cancer, she literally stole the collective hearts of Palmdale Station.
Mid-March the word was out Patricia was celebrating her 14th birthday. On the day of her birthday several deputies stopped by her home and wished her “Happy Birthday.” Deputy Danielle Day was unable to visit Patricia on her birthday due to her work schedule. Therefore, she made it a point to visit her the following day. The next day, when the two met, an immediate friendship bloomed.
“As I sat and talked with Patricia, I could see she is such a strong willed little girl who won’t allow anyone to feel bad for her. She appreciates every little thing she receives and genuinely cares for everyone,” stated Deputy Day.
Deputy Day visits Patricia on a weekly basis and enjoys every minute they spend together. During their time together, she learned of Patricia’s bucket list and the many things she loves. Patricia loves to be outside but finds it difficult because she is unable to be in the sun for an extended period of time and the family’s home does not have a covered patio. Wanting to make certain Patricia was able to go outside, Deputy Day reached out to friends Tom and Rachel Conroy of TCC General Contracting in Lancaster and asked for an estimate on a covered patio. When Tom and Rachel learned of the story, they refused to accept any kind of payment, and built the patio cover for free!
Deputy Day didn’t stop there. She saw Patricia’s great love for animals and Cesar Millan “The Dog Whisper.” Deputy Day worked with a partner and arranged for Patricia to meet Cesar Millan and his dog “Junior.”
Deputy Day said, “That day was the happiest I had seen Patricia. Cesar was so gracious with her and went above and beyond anything I could imagine.”
Deputy Day found out Patricia loves the LASD helicopter. It took her several weeks of obtaining approvals, but on May 6th, Deputy Day surprised Patricia with an Aero Bureau ride-a-long!
Patricia has many more interests. She loves “My Little Pony”, “Build-A-Bear”, playing Wii or Xbox 360, make-up, and hanging out with her friends. Deputy Day rallied her friends and family to help this young girl keep checking off items on her bucket list.
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Patricia really wanted to plant and tend to a garden but being wheelchair bound made it very difficult, until Deputy Day’s cousin (who would like to remain anonymous) built her a 3 ft high, 7 ft long mobile flower garden.
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Lynn Hetrick graciously donated a gift card to Build-a-Bear.
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Brandie Burton also donated a “Build-A-Bear” gift card as well as personalized “My Little Pony” hair bows.
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Deputy Day’s mother, Linda Wenniger, made her a beautiful hand stitched “My little Pony” theme quilt.
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Seven year-old Austin Schmid used his allowance to buy Patricia a “My little Pony” figurine.
One of Patricia’s wishes will be coming true this weekend. Patricia loves motorcycles, particular Harley’s, but she has never had the opportunity to ride one, until now. Patricia and her mother will ride together in the “Angel Ride.” The “Angel Ride” is a motorcycle ride to honor Patricia as well as make her dreams come true. Everyone is welcome to come out to show their love and support for Patricia this Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 10:00 am in the IHOP parking lot located at (39176 10th St W, Palmdale).
Patricia has impacted so many lives from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station as well as the Antelope Valley community. We are all so blessed to have met this beautiful little girl who has touched so many of us!
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Written by:
Deputy Jodi Wolfe
Palmdale Sheriff’s Station
750 East Avenue Q,
Palmdale, Ca. 93550
(661) 272-2520
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.Palmdale.lasd.org
Twitter: @jwLASD
Facebook.com/Deputy Wolfe
