Angle Vale Primary student Sammy Scully gets his dying wish to be a police officer for the day
South Australians downed tools and used their lunch break to cheer on terminally ill 8-year-old Sammy Scully as he got his dying wish to be a police officer today.
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Before young schoolboy Sammy Scully was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he knew he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up.
But at just six years old, those dreams became unattainable when doctors found an inoperable brain tumour the size of a peach in his brain on January 9 last year.
On Tuesday, the now eight-year-old had one of his wildest wishes come true when breakfast radio show Mix 102.3’s Max Burford and Ali Clarke put on a two-hour star-studded event in his honour so he could live his dream.
Parents Sean Scully and Alison Harrison said Sammy underwent radiation therapy treatment five times a week for six weeks at Royal Adelaide Hospital in an attempt to prolong his life.
His diagnosis, a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumour on his brain stem, led to doctors giving Sammy no more than 18 months to live.
The energetic Angle Vale Primary School boy, who loves cricket and motorbikes, has never let the grim prognosis dim his spirit.
His heartbroken family, including sister Abi and Erin Scully, from Andrews Farm, made it their mission to give Sammy a magical and memorable final few months of life.
The breakfast radio show joined forces with South Australian Police, Premier Peter Malinauskas, a prominent singer and two iconic sports stars, so Sammy could experience life as a police officer.
Sammy said the group put together it was “the best day ever” and jokingly mentioned that he was “very tired” after the extravaganza.
“It’s just a great job. and helping people,” he said, when asked why he wanted to be a police officer.
Ms Harrison said she was simultaneously grateful and overwhelmed by the support from the community but hoped “she didn’t have to make these types of memories.”
“It’s really hard for me and I wish it wasn’t happening but this is something that they can look back on forever and have a really positive memory out of this.”
“It’s very overwhelming but there shouldn’t be a need for this treatment for this disease has not changed in 35 years, so something needs to (be) done to save our kids.
“It makes me angry because sweet kids get ripped away from their families.”
The day of adventure kicked off at 11am when he was picked up from his school by the SA Police PolAir helicopter crew and flanked by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens – while decked out in a custom-made police uniform.
Sammy, along with his mum, were whisked away to Adelaide Oval where the eight-year-old made his grand entrance just after 12pm – greeted by about 18 police officers, members of Eastern District Patrol Fleet, State Traffic Enforcement Dog Ops and staff from Mix 102.3.
Dog Operations Unit’s Sergeant Simon Rosenhahn introduced Sammy to the unit’s drug detection dog Bomber.
The German Shepherd – almost the size of Sammy – played a quick game of fetch with him, and often scared him with his barks.
Sammy was presented with a custom-made ‘Sergeant Scully’ operations badge, before a special police motorcade escorted the new officer to Rundle Mall.
On arrival about 12.30pm, Sammy and his family were cheered on by a crowd of about 400 people who gathered at the mall to show their support.
Mr Malinauskas had earlier issued a “stop work order” for an hour from 12.30pm.
South Australians were encouraged to head to Rundle Mall and see Sammy solve a case and see Adelaide-born singer Guy Sebastian perform two-songs including the 2019 hit ‘Choir’.
“What an extraordinary turn out,” he said “The people of South Australia have a lot of compassion and love in their hearts, for them to show up in these numbers, to show their appreciation for what Sammy’s battling and his fight. I think it’s a great inspiration.”
His next adventure involved hunting down and arresting three “hardened crims” – Sebastian, Crows star Reilly O’Brien and Aussie cricketer Alex Carey – who were “on the loose” around the city.
“We had a great time and he really enjoyed it and it was an amazing turn out at rundle mall,” O’Brien said.
“It’s obviously tough what he’s going through but it’s amazing that he’s so positive.”
Sebastian, who specifically flew into Adelaide for the event, told Max & Ali he would do anything to help, after hearing Sammy’s heartbreaking story.
“I just love it when people use their power for something beautiful,” Sebastian said.
“It will make such a massive difference to this kid.”
Before Sebastian performed in front of a growing crowd, including Sammy’s sisters and classmates, Mr Stevens promoted Sammy to Senior Sergeant for his outstanding performance as a kid cop.
“Sammy, you’ve had a pretty big day for your first day on the job as a police officer,” Mr Stevens said.
“You caught three criminals, which is more than what a lot of police officers catch in a whole week.”
Mr Stevens later said SA Police knew there was only “one answer” when they received the call to help fullfill Sammy’s dying wish.
“I’m overwhelmed with just how many are out here to support him and his family.”
“He’s done a fantastic job today … our newest recruit, he’s certainly set the standard for the rest of us.”
“I swore him in yesterday, and I’ll be calling on him again. He did such a good job today that I think we’re going to need him more often.”
Mr Stevens also praised the wider community for showing up to support Sammy.
“I never expected this, and I think Guy Sebastian said, this really shows the true nature of the South Australian community.”
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