LIMA, OH (WLIO) - A young honorary Lima police officer who passed away 5 years ago, was remembered and honored Wednesday. Friends and family celebrate Maleek Nelson with a balloon release. As Wednesday would have been his 13th birthday. Nelson dressed up as a police officer on Halloween years ago, catching the attention of lima police. So, former Chief Kevin Martin took a picture with him and he was designated as an honorary officer. Nelson passed away in 2018 of a rare heart defect, and even today his life continues to be honored and remembered. We asked his family friend what it means to still see a gathering for him every year.
"It just shows me how much love that the Lord had put into him for him to be able to share with everyone else, which was a great blessing. That is what his grandparents instilled into him as well, to love the Lord, and now I believe that's where he's at, back with the Lord," said Victoria Maldonado, a family friend of Maleek nelson.
Next year, the balloon release will be held at Safety City.
