Ex-Bears running back's son dies weeks after fulfilling dream
A.J. Peterson lived long enough to have Round Lake police and the village board fulfill his dream of becoming an officer.
Diagnosed with an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor in June, the death of the 7-year-old son of former Chicago Bears running back Adrian Peterson was announced Tuesday. Round Lake Police Chief Michael Gillette said it was nice that officers and others at the department were able to be a part of A.J.'s life.
“Everybody here is down in the dumps,” Gillette said. “It was heartbreaking news to hear.”
Mayor Daniel MacGillis said he received the news of A.J.'s death from Gillette. MacGillis said he's proud Round Lake made A.J. a junior reserve officer at a meeting Jan. 5 after being contacted by a Make-A-Wish Foundation representative.
“To see him when he was presented with his badge and to see his little face smile and light up — fantastic,” MacGillis said.
Peterson, a Bears running back from 2002 to 2009 and now a motivational speaker, pinned a police badge on A.J. during the swearing-in ceremony. Peterson told the Daily Herald last month he and his wife, Angela, learned of A.J.'s desire to become a police officer when she asked what he wanted to be when he grows up.
Angela Peterson and the couple's three other children — ages 5, 4 and 10 months — also were in village hall for the special night.
In addition to his family, A.J. was supported during the evening by Jonah Kolesar, a fellow 7-year-old who is suffering from life-threatening autoimmune disorders and was sworn in as a Round Lake junior reserve officer in January 2014. Jonah applauded after A.J. received his badge.
Round Lake officials made sure it was a night to remember for A.J. and his family.
A.J. received a pint-size Round Lake police uniform and hat. Squad cars and fire trucks from several Lake County agencies escorted A.J. from police headquarters to Round Lake village hall so he could be sworn in.
Last June, he was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an embedded, inoperable cancerous tumor in the brainstem.
A.J. was a student at Park School Campus in Round Lake, which educates kindergarten through eighth grade students as part of Grayslake Elementary District 46. Spokeswoman Leslie Armstrong McLeod said A.J. attended Avon Center School in Round Lake Beach before moving to Park.
Upon learning of A.J.'s diagnosis last summer, Avon Center and Grayslake North High School held several fundraisers to benefit the Petersons that totaled $5,000, she said.
A.J. also led the Grayslake North football team onto the field for its homecoming game and served as grand marshal for the school's parade. A.J. Soars became visible on a Facebook page and merchandise to show support.
“The staff of both (Avon and Park) schools have been very supportive of A.J. and the Peterson family,” McLeod said, “and have been photographed in A.J. Soars T-shirts, wear A.J. Soars wristbands. Park Campus had a portrait of A.J. commissioned that will be sent to the Peterson family.”
Neither Adrian nor Angela Peterson could be reached for comment Tuesday.