Mikayla’s act of kindness toward a police officer won the hearts of the entire department!

Eight-year-old Mikayla Raji never met her dad, a police officer fallen in the line of duty before she was born. But her kind act won the hearts of an entire department . . .

Even as she and her eightyear- old daughter were seated at their favorite Italian place, Marisol “Mimi” Jimenez-raji felt her heart ache.

There was no better chicken penne than the dish at Villa Borghese. But everything about the Helmetta, New Jersey, restaurant reminded Mimi of her husband, Thomas, a police officer whose patrol car had been broadsided by a drunk driver, taking his life in the line of duty when Mimi was pregnant.

How could this have happened? Mimi had sobbed, devastated that Thomas would never know his baby girl, but determined for Mikayla to know her father.

So from the time Mikayla was a baby, the Monroe, New Jersey, mom would show her photos of Thomas. She’d tell her stories about how they’d spend Friday evenings at the Villa. And she’d share, “He was so excited about you! Your daddy already loved you so much.”

Yet now, even as she smiled at Mikayla, Mimi sighed. If only you could’ve seen our girl on that softball field tonight, Thomas. If only you could’ve been there . . .

Just like her dad

Afew minutes later, Mikayla perked up to see a police officer walk through the door.

Patrolman Joseph Quinn, from nearby Jamesburg, New Jersey, had just come in to place a takeout order. But wherever she and Mimi went, Mikayla was always noticing officers in blue.

“Did Daddy wear that kind of uniform?” she asked Mimi. “Oh, yes,” Mimi nodded. Officer Joe didn’t know Mikayla, but he did notice the little girl waving and calling out, “Hi!” Always eager to show children that police officers are their friends, he walked over to their table.

Seeing Mikayla’s team jacket, Officer Joe asked if she played soccer or softball. “Softball!” she piped up. It was just small talk. But for a little girl who’d grown up admiring the men and women in blue, knowing they were heroes like her daddy, the moment felt like so much more to Mimi— and Mikayla, too. As Joe walked away, Mikayla asked, “Can we buy that officer his food but not tell him who it’s from, just to be nice?”

Now that’s exactly something your dad would have done, Mimi thought, calling the owner over.

All Officer Joe was told was, “The family of a fallen officer has paid for your meal.”

Surprised and grateful, Joe shared the story back at the station— and, instantly, heads perked up. Being investigators, the officers quickly identified the gift givers as Mimi and Mikayla.

Though none had known Thomas, who had been on the Perth Amboy, New Jersey, force, they remembered the tragedy. Out of respect, many of the officers had even attended his funeral. When they fi lled Joe in . . .

So it wasn’t random. It was that little girl’s tribute to her fallen father! Joe realized.

Later, they posted the anecdote on the Department’s Facebook page with a special note.

Mikayla, you have an open invitation to stop by headquarters— and this time, dinner is on us! Your dad would be so proud of the person you are. If you ever need us for anything, you can guarantee we will be there for you!

“Can we go visit them, Mommy?” Mikayla begged Mimi when she showed her the post.

Of course, Mimi beamed.

Uncles in blue! Mikayla

“A hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger oneself.” than JOSEPH CAMPBELL

was so excited, she skipped into headquarters. Looking around with wide eyes, she marveled: My daddy worked at a station like this!

As the officers and Mikayla had lunch— this time, their treat— they promised, “Consider us your uncles in blue now!”

And Joe and his fellow officers have kept their word. They often text: How you doing, kiddo? They invited Mikayla to ride in the lead car in the town Memorial Day parade with them. And when Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost heard what Mikayla had done, he invited her and the department to a Yankees game to meet the players!

Through Gofundme, Mikayla’s police uncles have even set up a college fund for the third-grader.

“Mikayla is a wonderful kid with a big heart,” says Officer Quinn, who even brings his sons to cheer when Mikayla plays softball. “Everybody is so proud of Mikayla. But most of all, I am,” beams Mimi. “When I asked her why she wanted to buy Officer Quinn’s food that night, she simply said, ‘If my daddy were alive, I would want somebody to buy him food.’ I know her uncles in blue will always have her back. And I can see her dad smiling down from Heaven!’”