Rocco Gets His Fire Shield

Excitement was buzzing in Chicago Heights Fire Station One.

A new guy was about to get his Lieutenant shield.

Pulling up in a white SUV, out jumps 10-year-old Rocco Debergh with his little brother Bronx. Today is the day Rocco and Bronx earn their wings—rather, their shields.

You may recall a few months back, Rocco made headlines when he collected hundreds of coloring books and donated to the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. In 2009 Rocco was a patient at the hospital diagnosed with acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

That was then and this is now. Rocco is cancer free.

His uncle, Ron Lucarini the paid on-call Chief, and Chicago Heights Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer wanted to thank him for thinking of other kids going through cancer.

“He had leukemia, “ said his uncle Ron Lucarini. “He was diagnosed when he was 2 years old. He had to go through two and a half years of treatment to get better. I brought him to one of our dinners at the firehouse and all of the guys took a liking to him so we made him our p.o.c. mascot,” added Lucarini.

The time had come. All the paid firefighters surrounded Rocco and his brother Bronx. In the circle steps new Chicago Heights Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer. Slowly he pins a firefighter badge on Bronx. Next he moves over to Rocco. He bites his bottom lip as Chief Springer makes it official.

Rocco has his shield!

“The highlight of the evening was seeing his face light up after I pinned the badge on him and swore him in as a Lieutenant of CHFD,” Chief Springer said.

As Rocco ran to show his mom, the paid on-call firefighters applauded. “We honored Rocco and his brother, because Rocco has been through so much in his short life,” said Chief Springer. “It meant a lot to me to see a kid who has gone through so much in such a short lifespan, be shown the love and admiration that he was shown at the ceremony. He deserved that and more."

His Uncle Ron was just as proud.

“Every one in life has a hero, whether it's a fireman, a police man or a ball player. “For all the things ROCCO had to go through, I don’t think I or a lot of grown-ups could go what he went through. “That's why ROCCO is my hero,” Lucarini added.

As the firefighters brought out a cake, Springer shook hands and congratulated Rocco’s family.

“It was a wonderful evening and I was honored to be a part of it,’ said Springer. “Rocco is a great kid and we all could learn a lesson from him. Take life as it comes. Overcome adversity, not dwell on it and live your dream!

“Rocco’s dream is to become a firefighter one day and he’s off to a great start!”

“I'd just like to thank Chiefs Tom Kennedy & Chief Jeff Springer and Local 711 Chicago Heights Fire Department union for making this all happen. So on behalf of the DeBergh, Brown and Lucarini families, we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Way to go Rocco and Bronx!”