The local community, state of Texas and others around the world joined in reverence this past week to regard the passing of Dublin local Rylan Pruitt, who, although he was only 6, was an honorary officer, a friend to heroes and an inspiration to people around the world for his warrior’s courage.
Rylan began his battle with cancer on May 26, 2021 after being diagnosed w i t h medullomyoblastoma, a rare type of brain cancer.
“His was the 51st case they knew about at St. Jude’s,” reported Rylan’s father Mike.
The rare diagnosis meant that Rylan had to travel to St. Jude’s in Memphis, Tennessee for treatment and face a hard battle involving a minimum of four months of chemotherapy. He faced the challenge head on and did with the support of many whom he touched.
A gofundme was started and Wicked Clover sold shirts of support with donations allowing parents, Mike and Marisa to alternate time so he would not be alone. A Facebook page, ‘Rylan Strong, Team Beans,’ also chronicled Rylan’s story and provided updates as well as allowed a place to send messages.
“The outpouring of support was amazing,” said Mike. “First, it was the community. Then it was Texas, then the United States and then the world.”
It was revealed at the beginning of March that the cancer had spread and Rylan returned to Texas with a hero’s welcome. Ross Perot Jr.’s company, Hillwood, sent local officers to Memphis to meet Rylan and Marisa and escort them home.
When they landed in Fort Worth on March 4, Rylan, a fan of law enforcement and first responders, was greeted by officers from 10 agencies and a lot of others including the Denton Spider-Man.
Jeremy Rock Sons is known to many as the Denton Spider-Man and dresses up as everybody’s favorite web slinger while greeting the Metroplex community. Upon learning of Rylan’s love for the superhero, he was present for the landing and made other visits in the days that followed.
“[Rylan] would [often] talk about his best friend, Spider-Man,” Mike said.
It was fitting for officers to come and greet Rylan though as he was sworn in as an honorary police officer in the Fort Worth Police Department on January 26, 2021. He was given the nickname of Officer Beans then, coupling the title with Mike’s nickname for him since birth.
Metroplex police were helping in Rylan’s final days, bringing food and visiting with their fellow officer.
Governor Greg Abbott, also noted Rylan was an honorary member of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department in a brief video shared online. Gov. Abbott said Tarrant Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn had informed him about Rylan and that he wanted to send a message.
“I want you to know that I am incredibly proud of you and how hard you are fighting,” said Abbott in the video. “The sheriff told me he made you an honorary deputy and I bet you’re the toughest deputy on the force.”
Rylan was reportedly excited about the video, exclaiming, ‘I’m famous!’
Mike said he was particularly impressed by the message that came from outside of the U.S. in places like Ireland and Nepal, where Sherpa put ‘Rylan Strong’ on their vests and carried handwritten messages up the mountain.
“We were showing him messages all of the time,” said Mike. “Even when his strength was failing, he still mustered a little bit of a smile.”
“All of them were inspired by Rylan’s story saying that he showed them ‘what it means to be a warrior,’ Mike said.
Unfortunately, Rylan’s prognosis fell from three months to six days following his arrival in Texas.
Mike reported that Rylan slept for approximately 40 hours near the middle of last week. When he opened his eyes, he said he wanted to go swimming, so they took him to Aqua kids (one of his favorite places) and had a good day.
“I’m glad he got to do it,” said Mike, who added that they had been trying to make every wish come true since Rylan came back to Texas. “He went to sleep and didn’t wake up.” Officer Beans officially ended his battle with cancer on March 10 at 3:10 p.m.
“He was an amazing little boy,” said his father. “He beat cancer his way.”
On Sunday, Mike was on the road with other bikers, trying to honor Rylan in planning his funeral procession on Tuesday.
“He loved our yellow Harley,” said Mike. “I’m just sad that he’ll never get to ride it again.”
Mike said they were organizing as many motorcycles and first responder vehicles as they could get.” We’re going to make enough noise so Heaven hears,” he said.
To Dublin, the state and the world, Mike offers his gratitude for their immense support.
“I can’t say anything other than thank you and that doesn’t feel adequate,” said Mike. “It’s a debt I’ll never be able to repay. I’ll just have to pay it back one day at a time.”
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to help can send money at gofund. me/4cc43ef6.