GEORGETOWN — Yesterday Connor Jones' dreams came true in a matter of hours inside the Georgetown Police Station.
The 6-year-old acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient was recently paired with Georgetown Officer Derek Jones in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Pedal Partner Program. Connor has been inspiring officer Jones to train for the annual bike ride to raise money for cancer research, yesterday was Jones' turn to thank Connor.
"It's awesome they did this for us," Connor's mother, Lindsay Jones said as she watched her son take over the dispatch center and answer 911 calls from other officers. "He's wanted to be a police officer for the past few years. He is always watching the show 'Cops.' Cancer hasn't affected what he thinks about for his future."
Not long into his day in the life of a police officer, Connor, a Magnolia resident, was given a pint-sized replica of the Georgetown Police uniform complete with a water gun, radio, hat, a pouch full of Tootsie rolls and what Connor had been waiting for — handcuffs.
"I don't get a baton yet?" Connor asked as he examined his new clothing. Answering for the officers he said, "I have to wait until I'm older."
With shined regulation black shoes and his duty belt filled, Connor undertook the daily duties of a police officer.
"We all know you want to be a police officer," Derek Jones said. "To be sworn in, you have to swear to always be nice and listen to what your mom and grandmother say."
After Connor solemnly swore to uphold the laws of the commonwealth and serve and protect all citizens, he high-fived Jones.
The Pan-Mass Challenge raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country, with a goal to raise $30 million this year on its 30th ride. Last year, the Pan-Mass Challenge raised $35 million. Pan-Mass Pedal Partner program organizers said when they received Connor Jones' application to be a part of the program, they immediately knew whom to partner him with.
With the same last name, though no relation, as well as a desire to be a police officer when he grows up, the two were a natural match.
Connor was diagnosed with cancer in November 2008, after doctors discovered a tumor in his chest. He is currently on a two-year treatment schedule at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic, which includes chemotherapy and radiation.
The Pan-Mass route starts in Sturbridge and rides through 46 cities and towns across the state before hitting Provincetown.
For Jones, when he sets off to bike 190 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge on Aug. 1 through 2, he will think not only of Connor but also a small girl from Maine he partnered with last year and his own daughter, Julia.
"At six months, they found a cancerous tumor," Jones said of his daughter's experience at the Jimmy Fund Clinic. "I decided then to do the Pan-Mass Challenge. I do it in honor of Julia every year. This year is team Jones."
Jones' daughter Julia, now cancer free, and her sister, Jessica, were on hand yesterday to show Connor the ropes.
From touring holding cells to being fingerprinted, Connor's day also included a salute by Georgetown officers and a chance to run traffic radar in front of the Central Street station.
The energetic and sharp Connor spared no time asking Jones questions about how to work handcuffs, where the pictures of "the bad guys" are posted and how the police know where 911 call originate from.
With Chief James Mulligan looking on, he noted he could soon have a new police hire.
"Our goal was to make the day as special as possible," Mulligan said, noting off-duty officers came in to meet Connor. "This is a wonderful opportunity to make a little boy's dream come true."
Mulligan and his wife gifted Connor with a shiny red bicycle, complete with training wheels and a matching helmet to go with it.
"It's only fitting you have a bicycle so while Derek is peddling in the Pan-Mass Challenge, you can pedal along," Mulligan said.
Before showing Connor how to fill out necessary paperwork before performing radar checks in a cruiser, Jones took the time to offer Connor some words of inspiration.
"When I heard about you, a little boy who wants to be a police officer with the last name Jones, it reminded me of myself when I was little." Jones said. "Now I hope you know how it feels to be in my shoes today."
To Support Team Jones
Log on to www.pmc.org and enter "Derek Jones" or to go to Derek's page directly log on to http://www.pmc.org/profile/DJ0040
Local Pan-Mass riders
Newburyport: Michael Barlow, Sam Barlow, Julie Bokat, Kenneth Brown, Jeanne Carter, Marc Cendron, Gary Gastman, John Giordano, David Hardin, Lisa Hayford, Greg Hill, Suzy Hill, Thomas Mahon, John Martin, Nicholas Mombello, Kevin Murphy, Bonnie Perkins, Barbara Riley, Bruno Stachows, Matthew Vincent and Lauren Wendel.
Amesbury: Kristin Beauparlant, Kathleen Corkum-Amengual, Mark James, Susanne James, David Legg, Mils Menton, Abby Mitchell, Bryant Mitchell, Emily Olmstead, Michael Rowan, Kerrie Sesto and Katherine Treiser Brown.
Rowley: Steve Armand, Lisa Bettencourt, Matthew Callahan, Ken Daniels, Johanna Lent, Yancy Lent and John Manning.
Salisbury: Gary Doak and Mary Jo Griffin
Merrimac: Mary Ellen Milne and Frederick Vona.
West Newbury: Dave Brin and Scott Holmes.
Georgetown: George Barnard, James Smith and Harry Takis.
Source: Pan-Massachusetts Challenge
