Wilmington police bring boy a birthday surprise

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- For a little boy in Wilmington, this was already going to be a special day, but he had no idea just how special it would become.

Jarrell Turner began his 11th birthday Thursday morning with an entire platoon of Wilmington police officers.

Master Corporal Lorne Peterson and Senior Corporal Robert Steele met Jarrell last week, as they played basketball with a group of neighborhood kids.

As the two officers walked Jarrell him home, they found out the aspiring young engineer was about to have a birthday.

So they decided to celebrate in style.

Master Corporal Lorne Peterson was impressed by Jarrell.

"He is a straight A student, he is a great kid and so we thought we needed to do something for this kid".

When asked what he thought about the officers, the birthday boy was equally impressed. "They're cool," he said.

The officers gave Jarrell a cake, a basketball, and tickets to a Sixers game.

They say its about recognizing the promise in young people, and proving that police are there as much to encourage good behavior as to discourage bad.