Cst. Liu and Jack

“They say never to meet your heroes, but Jack did and was not disappointed,” Cara Stuart said in a Facebook post to the attention of the Ottawa Police on December 2, 2024.

The hero she is referring to is our very own Cst. Johnathan Liu, frontline officer of “A” Platoon East. On October 22, 2024, Stuart’s three-year-old son Jack experienced health complications relating to adrenoleukodystrophy: a severe medical condition that prevents his body from breaking down certain fatty acids, which build up and affect the brain and nervous system. Jack’s mom had to take him to the emergency room that night as Jack suffered an adrenal crisis. That’s when he saw Cst. Liu who was at CHEO assisting on a call.

“Jack wants to be a police officer when he grows up,” explained his mom. “He was so sick he could barely walk, but his face lit up when he saw Cst. Liu and he got a boost of energy.” Jack pointed to Cst. Liu and asked his mom if he could say hello.

Cst. Liu took time out of his eventful night to meet him and his family. He told Jack that when he was little, he was in the hospital a lot, too. Unbeknownst to Jack, him and Cst. Liu had more in common than career goals.

Cst. Liu had many positive interactions with the staff at CHEO. “I broke a lot of bones and had a few accidents from being an active kid,” said Liu. “The people at CHEO care a lot.” He reassured Jack that he was in good hands.

CBC picked up Stuart’s story from social media and inquired with media relations for an interview with Cst. Liu and Jack. That’s when Cst. Liu truly went above and beyond.

He put together an OPS package for Jack: a pen, an Ottawa Police notebook, a pin, a mini-stick, a bike bell, a bag, a book, a stuffed animal, a blanket, OPS temporary tattoos, a few K9 colouring books and fingerprint stickers to play detective.

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, exactly three months after their initial meeting, Cst. Liu reunited with Jack and his family at the CBC office on Queen Street. A radio interview took place and Cst. Liu gifted Jack his new OPS swag. “I’m going to share this with my sister, Tessa,” he repeated.

Jack is already being matched with donors for an upcoming bone marrow transplant he will require at an unknown time. Mom is going above and beyond to get his condition, ALD, added to newborn screening in Ontario to help other families intercept this condition and prepare for treatment right away to create better outcomes.

Jack has a long road ahead. “Before the transplant he will need radiation and chemotherapy,” mom explained anticipating what he will be facing when the time comes.

But Jack is strong. Cst. Liu made sure he knew that by reminding him with every hug and high-five he gave him that morning.