2010070806

Raleigh Police Officer, Age 8, Passes Away

By Richard Saunders, The Raleigh Telegram

Saturday, July 10, 2010

RALEIGH - Last weekend on July 3rd, a local child who officially became Raleigh’s first ever honorary police officer was laid to rest after fighting cancer for several years.

Will Bunn, age 8, had been undergoing treatment for recurring stomach cancer since 2007.

In a posting on a blog about Will, his family said that he had passed away on Thursday, July 1st.

“Heavens gates opened for our beloved William at 4:22 this morning,” said the blog. “He was with his loving parents, Amy and Mark.The illness can no longer constrain our angel William; he has spread his wings, taken flight, and will be free of pain and suffering for all eternity.”

During the funeral ceremony, dozens of Raleigh Police Department officers turned up to honor the young man. A bagpipe procession and an honor guard were on hand to honor the young man, as uniformed officers carried the flag-draped casket of young Will.

At the ceremony, Raleigh Police Chief Harry P. Dolan spoke about the young man, saying that he was an inspiration to the police force.

The funeral was broadcast by all of the major local TV stations in the Triangle area and even made national news as a segment was broadcast on the NBC Nightly News on the Saturday night (see video at below right).

Back in June, Will had been made an honorary police officer after he showed an interest in becoming a law enforcement officer.

“Will’s desire to become a police officer became known to RPD Master Officer G.A. Witherspoon during a school visit,” said Jim Sughrue of the Raleigh Police Department.

“Witherspoon decided to do everything he could to make Will’s dream come true and brought the boy’s wishes to the attention of Chief of Police Harry Dolan,” he added.

At the ceremony held in June, Will was presented with an official police uniform complete with hat and tie from the Raleigh Police Department. Proud of the uniform, Will was still wearing it when he returned home to have some photos taken.

Will also received visits from members of the Raleigh and Durham SWAT teams, which the young Will refers to as the “Squat” teams, according to family posts on a website.

A raffle has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses. Raffle tickets are being sold at $5 to potentially win a large $600 gift basket donated by the Angus Barn that contains wines, cheeses, candy, pies, and other foods.

For details on how to buy the tickets, call Studio Hair at 919-855-0807.

For more information on this inspirational young man and how to help out his family, visit the website that has been set up for them by the CaringBridge non-profit group:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/williambunn

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