PHOTOS - Local police officers and firefighters donned some new uniforms Friday to play superheroes for pediatric patients.
Dressed as popular superheroes such as Spiderman, Batman and Captain America, members of SAPD’s SWAT team and SAFD’s Rescue Team rappelled down the side of North Central Baptist Hospital while numerous children watched through their windows.
Kids were able to interact with the rappelling heroes as they dangled outside of their rooms, and later got to hang out with them inside the hospital. San Antonio Police Department spokesman Officer Douglas Greene said this year’s event, dubbed the Julian “Superhero Drop,” was dedicated to Julian Andrade, the 5-year-old son of SAPD Officer Jose Andrade.
Julian, who attended the event last year, died from cancer in March.
“He loved superheroes, he loved first responders, so what better way to keep his memory alive,” Greene said.
Officers and firefighters were excited at the opportunity to repeat the event, which was held for the first time in October of 2014. “The faces of the kids and their reactions were priceless,” Greene said. “As a first responder in law enforcement, it fuels you to want to do your job better to see the reactions of these kids.”