Sean Dixon had his dreams of becoming a cop come true when the Suffolk County Police Headquarters made him a detective for the day, but after two years of battling osteosarcoma, Sean passed away on Wednesday.
Osteosarcoma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the bones during growth spurts with teens. Even though it’s rare, it’s still the most common type of cancer in the bone. To learn more, click here.
Dixon, who was 16, had lost his right leg at the hip because of the disease. Throughout the long and painful treatment process, Sean remained hopefully active. He spent time jet skiing and riding his motor bike and continued to dream about a career in the police force some day.
“He never stopped,” Kim Dixon said to newsday. “He would just keep going. He loved life.”
His dream came true on August 1st when he was personally invited to the Suffolk County Police Headquarters. He wore a very detective-like beige suit to the occasion and brought his infectious smile that he had become known for. When he raised his right hand, he was sworn in. In speaking to Newsday, his mother stated
“I think it was the most amazing experience he’s ever really had… it was like a dream of his that was really fulfilled.”
Last week, Dixon had fallen into severe conditions and a candle light vigil was organized for him at Medford Veteran Memorial Park. They were expecting a small group of people to show up but were surprised to witness hundreds of people there after the word had spread on social media. Hundreds of candle lights flickered in honor of the junior at Patchogue-Medford High School.
His school tweeted photos of Sean with the caption: “The beauty of our lives is that you were in it and taught us more than you know. We are heartbroken.”
Every district school in the area held their flags at half-staff in remembrance of Sean. He died Wednesday morning at Good Shepherd Hospice Center in Port Jefferson.
