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Subscribe to RSSArizona police officers step in and buy new Christmas lights for a terminally ill girl and her family after a thief steals their decorations. KPNX's Chris Williams reports.
When thieves snatched the holiday lights off of a terminally-ill child's home, Phoenix police officers made sure that no "Grinch" would steal Christmas from the 5-year-old girl.
The girl's mother, Jessica Smith, decked out the family's Arizona house complete with lighted reindeer, trees and a Santa with sleigh, but Phoenix police say the decorations were stolen a few days later on Nov. 21. Smith told Phoenix NBC-affiliate KPNX that she decorated a couple weeks before Thanksgiving to guarantee that her daughter could celebrate the Christmas season and "have fun with it."
Linzy, 5, has a rare form of dwarfism and has to spend this year's holiday in the hospital for a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant, KPNX reported.
"Granted nobody really knows who they're stealing from, but it makes it even worse when it comes to light they stole from a terminally-ill child," Smith told KPNX.
Courtesy Phoenix Police Department
Officer Lewis, left, and Officer Head, right, stand with the Smith family and a representative from Angels on Patrol, far right.
After hearing about the theft, Officers Jake Lewis and David Head from the department's Maryvale Precinct restored the holiday cheer. It started with Lewis contacting Angels on Patrol, which works with Phoenix and Tempe, Ariz. police officers to help families in crisis.
"You don’t know who's behind that door. You don’t know who's Christmas this is that you're destroying," said the organization's executive assistant Leah Heathcoat on the theft. "It (Christmas) should be magical, it should be special."
Related: The Grinch almost stole Christmas in Papakolea, Hawaii
Together, Angels on Patrol and the police officers helped the family redecorate the house again.
Lewis, who is a father himself with a child on the way, even dipped into his own pocket to help the Smiths with groceries, according to Phoenix Police Department Spokesperson James Holmes.
"I asked [Lewis] about the 'donation' and he told me, 'yeah, when we were in the academy and they asked me why I wanted be a police officer I jumped on the 'fast cars and sirens' bandwagon; but, when I said I wanted to help people, I meant it,'" Holmes told NBC News in a statement.
If Linzy survives her upcoming bone marrow transplant, Smith told KPNX that doctors will attempt a kidney transplant.
"Every day is just a blessing," Smith told the TV station.
A benefit fund has been set up for Linzy: Wells Fargo #1064675190.
Slideshow: Holiday season lights up
Chris Williams of Phoenix NBC-affiliate KPNX contributed to this story.
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Leave a Comment:
Nice story, and very Warming to know there are still Good People in all walks of Life....
I would be more impressed if the Police did not make such a show just for a photo-op.
@Rockyroad-531554- I really don't think it matters to this dying 5 year old what impresses you. SHE'S 5!!!!! These police officers did a wonderful thing, making her smile. This could be her last year with her mother, to enjoy holidays, to even get to smile. They didnt "make such a show just for a photo-op" they actually cared about this little girl and helping someone.
How many times do you hear someone say that the police really aren't there to help, or protect, or are lazy blah blah blah... (I hate comments such as these, because they are there to protect us) here is a story which states otherwise and you have to be an uneducated ass and point out they had their picture taken.
As a mother of a 5 year old, they're more into the joy of christmas than anytime of the year. really. If something happened such as this to my family, I would take a million pictures with those who helped my daughter enjoy possibly her last holiday.
Your comments are uneducated and plain retarded.
I hope she gets the treatment she needs and lives a lonnnng life! Thoughts go out to the family. Good job guys!! :)
Actually Rockyroad you have no ideas who called the reporters.
Well done people. Makes me feel proud to know there are still many many good souls out there. All the best to Linzy and her family for the future. Stay strong little one.
And to the thieves, remember Karma, what goes around comes around you lowlife scum.
So anytime I wish to do a good deed should I alert the media so I can have mypicture taken??
Rocky...shut your pie hole. I know if the someone went out of their way like this for me I would want a photo keepsake and would sing their praises to everyone I know. In today's social media society it's very easy for something like this to go national with out any intent on the part of the good samaritan.
Rocky, Its idiots like you, that have NO HEART, that need to have their CHRISTmas ruined, NOT this precious little girl. I sincerely hope this little girl comes through this surgery with total success. My wish for her is that the charities help her with accounts to have all her medical bills paid and a Christmas that makes all her wildest dreams come true.
As for you, you JERK, it is people like YOU that put the G in Grinch.....However calling you the "GRINCH" is by way far too nice of a name for you. Please, to you and yours, have as VERY MESSED UP CHRISTmas
This is what Christmas is all about. God bless Linzy and the angel club Ya all have a great holiday and remember this girl and her family in your prayers.
What's with the pro-police articles lately? First boots for the homeless, not xmas lights.
Are we preparing the sheeple for the police state, NBC??
STFU, Steve.
His last name is Yo. Try not to expect much from this 'special' creature.
Better to be special than one of the "herd".
Enjoy your brainwashing.
When they put you in a FEMA camp, you'll thank them.
@SteveYo
Lighten up, they helped a little girl who is seriously ill. It's not a political thing.
Great job by the police department!
Now we just need a reward to catch the idiots that stole the lights. It would be fitting if they were caught in the same city by this department.
There is a rash of stealing the big christmas decorations in my area. Nice neighborhoods but I don't even think it is common criminals. It is the young addicted to drugs. Sick people but glad this girl got her decorations replaced.
Some idiots probably stole it for the copper. They probably got $1.... F#$%^%$ing low lifes...
Stealing christmas decorations? The thieves really hit rock bottom on this one. As BadHumor said, they probably got $1 for all their effort.
Got to love ppl who always sees negativity in positive things SteveYo!
I'm just not a sheep.
Sorry, but the MSM is controlled by the Military-Industrial Complex.
Get a clue.
SteveYo
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you. Just love the red/green and white Tin Foil hat, all decked out for the Holidays I see. Might I suggest a few Twinkling LED lights to go on your TIN FOIL HAT?
joethelib - Some day, a few years from now, as you arise to the sound of drones buzzing through the neighborhood, and awake in a land where Congress has passed as law declaring any criticism of the government to be an act of terrorism, try to remember your words and those of SteveYo. At least I can see with my tin foil hat on which is more than we can say about your ability to see past those blinders of yours.
A special place in hell is reserved for people that would do such a thing...
Really? Hell is reserved for people who steal... outdoor lighting accessories? No wonder Heaven is so hard to get into these days! You need a VIP pass signed by a Hollywood entertainer just to get close to the gates.
Hey Leigh, it was probably a group of young teenagers who did it. You want them to burn in hell for eternity. Might want to look in the mirror as to who the real monster is here.
Heartwarming story of kindness and compassion by these officers. I wish little Linzy and her family a very merry christmas with many more to come. And to Yo-Yo Boy, may you choke on your lump of coal! :(
Nice work officers.
Stories like this make it easier to be overseas and away from my family for the holidays. Americans acting like they should to help others in need. I am willing to bet the decorations were stolen by some stupid kids and I think a good old A$$ whippen would be justice enough. Jail time not need. But thats just my opinion. Happy Holidays from Afg!!
I am not a big fan of sheriff Joe but on this occasion I hope he comes up with something special for the Grinch.
If bob wants to editorialize he should go to a different
show, like early Sunday morning. Other than that he
has confirmed he is an insufferable little prick and a
incompetent sports announcer.
And you aren't much better since you can't even post on the right story!
Linzey, hope you have the best surgery ever! Bless the people who helped replaced her Christmas.
Good guys.
Thank you so much Phoenix PD . It is good to hear stories of police officers doing the right thing.