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Hundreds Of Police Officers Attend Bethel Park Boy's Funeral

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A young boy from Bethel Park, who lost his battle with a rare form of brain cancer, was laid to rest this morning.

Joey Fabus, 8, died Wednesday after a seven-month long battle with a rare and inoperable brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG.

His dream was to become a police officer. In June, the Bethel Park Police Department gave him a badge, a uniform, swore him in and even let him ride on patrol with an officer.

Officer Tom Regatti was his partner.

"I'll never forget his smile," he said. "He was an extraordinary young boy who really loved police officers and every time he was around a person in uniform, he adored them."

Extraordinary because while he lived the dream, Joey suffered from a debilitating incurable disease, but he never complained.

That's what brought Lt. Phil Redford here from Wheeling, W. Va.

"His desire for law enforcement and the message that he brought to everybody caused me to want to take part and to honor him today," said Redford.

This morning at his funeral, there was a fitting tribute.

Hundreds of police officers from all over the area showed up to pay their final respects to a young man who became an example of courage and inspiration.

The Mass started with Joey's father putting his police hat on the casket.

During the Mass, the priest reminded everyone that in a day where police seem to receive less and less respect, it's refreshing that Joey wanted to be one of them.

The priest also said, Joey lived his dream and is now living that same dream in Heaven.

Right now, donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/joeyfabusFdn. The foundation is called "The Joey Fabus Childhood Cancer Foundation."

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