A 12-year-old boy from Minnesota, Raghav Shrestha, who aspired to be a police officer, was honored with an honorary officer title just before being taken off life support.
This recognition occurred on Thursday at Hennepin County Medical Center, where his family gathered after he suffered a heart attack due to a bicycle accident days prior. The Sartell Police Department provided him with a badge to commemorate the occasion.
“We found out today that Raghav dreamed of becoming a police officer,” remarked Sartell Police Chief Brandon Silgijord in a Facebook statement.
Some officers were able to visit Raghav and badge him in front of his family, emphasizing their support for them during this painful time. The police also shared that he was a seventh-grader at Sartell St. Paul and had been riding downhill at Northside Park when he was struck, resulting in severe head injuries and cardiac arrest, all while wearing a helmet.
His friend, just 10 years old, called for help but struggled to communicate the precise location. Thankfully, a bystander, who happened to be a CPR instructor, intervened and began life-saving actions.
Raghav, described as a joyful and lively child, was airlifted to a Minneapolis hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, his health worsened, and he was declared brain dead by Thursday morning.
After life support was removed that afternoon, he passed away “peacefully.” Silgijord expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting it’s challenging to comprehend why such a thing happened to a boy simply enjoying a beautiful fall day.
The boy’s parents, while grieving, conveyed their pride in being Raghav’s parents, highlighting his courageous words and actions. They shared his commitment to non-violence, stating, “I choose to never harm people or animals, and I take pride in my role as a big brother.”
In response to this heartbreaking event, the community and various police departments have come together to initiate a fundraiser for Raghav’s family. As of Thursday night, approximately $36,000 had been raised to support them.
