On the average morning, Columbusites can find sheriff's deputies on patrol throughout Muscogee County. Tuesday was different, though, as more than 40 deputies gathered at the Civic Center to celebrate Armon Banks, a 4-year-old boy with brain cancer.
When Armon's family learned his cancer had become terminal, they reached out to Sheriff Greg Countryman with the hope that he'd make Armon's dream of being a law enforcement officer a reality. Countryman said he immediately started organizing an event that would put Armon in the shoes of his role models.
"We wanted to make this a great day for him," Countryman said. "We have things near and dear to his heart for him here."
The first half of the event, which was in the Civic Center parking lot, included rows of police cars with flashing lights, a red carpet rolled out for Armon and his 5-year-old brother Ashton's arrival and the sheriff's office's gaming truck.
"I'm happy to be here with Armon," Ashton said. "My favorite car is the Slingshot."
A sheriff's deputy in a costume from Armon's favorite show, "Paw Patrol", played video games with the brothers in the truck.
"We put out a call for people, and people from every bureau read the information," Countryman said. "It was near and dear to their hearts, and we wanted to make this a grand day for him."
The second half of Armon's celebration was a pizza party at the Government Center, where he had lunch with the sheriff and dozens of deputies. Countryman said he was thankful for the show of support he received from the officers he works with.
"Outreach is what we do, this is what we love to do," he said. "These officers are all out here because they want to be. There is a level of support for the cause and for Armon."
As Armon and his brother explored the vehicles parked around the Civic Center, a deputy awarded each of them with a sheriff's badge. Ashton said he was excited to celebrate with the sheriff's deputies.
"If you have a heart, you're connected to this, and there are a lot of hearts here connected to him," Countryman said. "He will always be a part of the sheriff family."
A spokesperson requested Armon's last name not be shared.
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