Zombie Deputies Dance 'Thriller' For Sick Boy

How can you help a sick little boy who has a passion for police officers and zombies?

If you happen to be Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, you pull out all the stops to make the child’s imaginary dreams come true. Nocco, some of his deputies and members of the community did just that Tuesday, transforming the county’s old jail into a zombie stronghold for 7-year-old Spencer Holt and his brothers to conquer.

Spencer’s family is new to Pasco County, having moved here so he could be closer to All Children’s Hospital. The little boy suffers from a terminal illness, Mitochondrial disease, that is slowly taking its toll on the cells in his body. The disease, however, hasn’t taken its toll on Spencer’s imagination. He dreams of being a law enforcement officer and has always wanted to wear a badge while battling zombies.

To make that dream come true, Nocco “deputized” Spencer on Tuesday and accompanied him on a zombie-busting tour of the old jail. With a trusty NERF gun in hand, Spencer fought off the undead, portrayed by drama students from Mitchell and Hudson high schools.

And, just when Spencer thought the jail was rid of the walking dead, another surprise awaited. A group of deputies stood at the ready to bust out their best moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

“We usually see the worst of the worst of society and today was a good day,” Nocco told news media. “We got together and helped a little boy.”

While the day of adventure was one Spencer will not likely forget, his mother, Cher, also received quite a surprise. At the end of the zombie hunt, the folks from Farrell Roofing and Hyundai of New Port Richey teamed up to give the Holt family a wheelchair accessible van.

Whether zombies will try to once again take over the old jail remains unknown. But, Pasco County residents can rest assured Deputy Holt will be ready.

Photos courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office