Some 60 police officers from all around Southern California descended on Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in November to bring joy and toys to the pediatric patients. More than 800 toys were passed out to the children during the fifth annual Cops for Kids Fly-In.

Riverside police helicopter pilot Don Miskulin, one of the organizers of the fly-in, said it was as rewarding for the officers from the 10 Southern California departments as it was for the kids. “We don’t have many chances to go out and have positive contact with people,” said Miskulin. “Usually, when we’re going into a situation there’s a crisis. At least half of the people involved don’t want us there. With this fly-in, everyone wants us there, and we want to be there.”

The police officers collected donated toys, loaded them into nine helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft and flew them to San Bernardino International Airport. From there, the toys were moved to police vehicles that drove in a convoy to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

The Riverside Police Department began the fly-in five years ago after attending a fly-in in Santa Barbara. The request came from Gary Colley, an El Monte police officer whose daughter, Megan, now 14, was undergoing treatment at Loma Linda University Children’ Hospital for liver and kidney problems.

One of the side effects of Megan’s treatment was the loss of her hair. At the end of the first briefing, Megan asked to talk to the cops. She was wearing a flight suit and a baseball cap. She took off the cap and said, “You’re going to see a lot of kids like me.”

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the place,” said Miskulin.

This year, the officers hoped to give at least two toys to each child. They collected so many that they handed out three toys to each patient. There were leftovers to stock the hospital’s playrooms. “We were thrilled to be able to help these wonderful children,” Miskulin said. “It is truly a blessing to be able to give back to our community.”

Coordinating the Cops for Kids Fly-in, now a nonprofit organization, with Miskulin was Sgt. Jeff Werblun, a pilot for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department.

By Preston C. Smith