A 3-year-old Knoxville boy, whose love for law enforcement gained national attention, has died after battling a rare heart condition.
Kolton Hessman had Heterotaxy Syndrome, which caused a number of heart defects. He also was born without a spleen, diminishing his immune system. He had needed a new heart to survive.
But he was passionate about music and had an even greater love for law enforcement.
"He's always had a fascination with law enforcement. Everywhere he goes, he points them out,” said Kolton’s father, Grant Hessman, in an interview earlier this month with 10News. “When he's in the car in his child seat, he'll tell me, ‘Daddy, police!’ And I can't even see it.”
Law enforcement agencies across the state came together for Kolton to bring him back home safely Wednesday night.
Officers with various sheriff's offices and police departments escorted Kolton and his family from Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville to his home in Knoxville.
A long line of police cars with lights flashing escorted Kolton and his family into Knoxville on I-40 shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday.
“After he passes will be dressed in a Vanderbilt police uniform, and will receive a full police escort from Nashville all the way home to Knoxville,” a post on the Facebook page 'Praying4Kolton' read.
A Boston police officer learned of Kolton’s story, and reached out to the Fraternal Order of Police.
Over the past several months, law enforcement from around the country sent hats, cards and police patches to his hospital room at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
The Praying4Kolton Facebook page served as a way for supporters around the country to follow his story. That's where his family announced his death around 2 p.m. Wednesday. They had originally planned to take Kolton off life support on Thursday, but his condition deteriorated.