Girl Battling Cancer Becomes Honorary Waterford Police Officer

Eight-year-old Madeline Guarraia is fighting cancer and a local police department decided to give her a special day yesterday and show that they stand with her in her fight.

Madeline lives in East Lyme, but her parents are Waterford school teachers, and Waterford police arranged the special day after finding out that Madeline loves police officers and police dogs.

The day began with Madeline being sworn in as an honorary Waterford Police Officer. Then she spent some time with the K9 unit, where she watched a demonstration and met with K9s and K9 officers.

After a tour of the police department, Madeline was taken to Camp Niantic, where she watched Trooper 2, the State Police helicopter, land then took a tour of it.

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Next, Madeline took a ride on the regional police boat and East Lyme Officer Levandowski and Sergeant Silva took her for a ride on the Niantic River.

Following the boat ride, Madeline went back to the Waterford Police Department, where she met Police Chief Pendleton.

It turned out to be a special day for police too, who said the Guarraia family showed them what true courage is.

If you want to make a donation to help cancer research or benefit families fighting cancer, Waterford police ask that you make a donation to a local cancer charity in Madeline’s name or on behalf of the Waterford Police Department.

See more photos of Madeline's vist on the Waterford Police Department Facebook page.