Third grader is officer for a day
Third grader Shaheem Young Jr. left class early Thursday to spend time shadowing some of his role models. ❚ Celebration was in order for the 8-year-old, who is recovering from an open heart surgery he had in November. In the months after Shaheem’s surgery, he told local TV station WMC that he’d like to be a police officer one day. ❚ “Because I want to help people” he told media Thursday, in police uniform at Egypt Elementary School in Raleigh. Shaheem explained sometimes people “make bad decisions because they don’t like their life, and so I want to help them.” ❚ Shaheem’s mother, Shantell, learned he’d need surgery after a wellness check at school revealed a heart murmur.
She took her son to Lebonheur Children’s Hospital, and Shaheem was diagnosed with anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA), a rare congenital heart condition. It’s the second leading cause for sudden cardiac death in young athletes, meaning Shaheem, a basketball player for his school, could have been in medical danger on the courts.
Though his condition is still being monitored, Harvey Richmond, Jr. said his great-grandson “recovered real fast” after his surgery. Shaheem was in class working on a science assignment when Memphis police officer Tadario Holmes surprised him Thursday morning.
Holmes had a customized uniform for Shaheem, who would be an honorary officer alongside him that day. Later in the front of the school, Shaheem sounded the car’s sirens from the passenger seat.
Most officers in Memphis are great role models for the city’s youth, Holmes said, noting that it’s a “blessing that some of our young people are still inspired to be police officers.”
Holmes was also Shaheem’s age when he decided to become a police officer. He now serves with crime prevention, as a clergy liaison and as part of the department’s community outreach program.
“Around 8-years-old is when my mom went through a very difficult time, and I remember calling an officer about an emergency we had,” he said. “And I remember that day, literally, was the day I wanted to be an officer, and I pursued that.”
Richmond, Shaheem’s great-grandfather, said he thinks Shaheem is thankful and wants to serve others because he was served by the wellness check. Growing up, Richmond often didn’t view police as friends, he said.
“(Shaheem) seems like he’s grown,” Richmond said.
Shantell Young has been using the Well Child services for several years, she said Thursday, noting that the mobile clinic even gave Shaheem his first pair of glasses.
The group is a vendor with school districts around the state, said Terrence Crockett, the director of operations. He said Well Child sees between 15,000 and 20,000 students annually in Shelby County and between 25,000 and 30,000 annually across Tennessee. Parents complete a consent packet allowing them to receive a wellness check when physicians visit schools throughout the year.
Though Shaheem’s case is a more severe example, Crockett said wellness checks catch a variety of medical conditions for children that should be monitored.
Laura Testino covers education and children’s issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @Ldtestino