Dream come true for Carrollton man with special needs

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. - Police officers in Carrollton helped make a lifelong dream come true for a young man with special needs.

JT George, 20, has always wanted to be a police officer.

"It's all he's thought about since he was little," said mother Lisa McGatha.

On Thursday, the Central High School student's dream became a reality when he got to spend several hours working for the Carrollton Police Department.

McGatha told FOX 5 this all started with the resource officer at Central High, who has gotten to know her son well. The officer told McGatha that JT often asks about being a cop, so he decided to reach out to Carrollton Police.

Corporal Kelly Bennett picked JT up from his home around 5 p.m. and spent several hours showing him what it's like to work in law enforcement. Other officers helped Bennett stage several scenarios, which included traffic stops, a routine patrol and even a police chase.

"He arrested a cop for having drugs on him," McGatha told FOX 5 laughing. "Of course, they weren't real drugs. JT said 'Mom, that man threw the drugs out the window' and so they had to call the K9 to assist with the drug arrest."

McGatha said the "drugs" were bags filled with sugar.

"He was so excited," she said. "He already said he wants to do it again."

McGatha told us it was absolutely amazing to see this type of kindness displayed toward her son and the response on social media has been wonderful. She also said JT keeps talking about how much fun he got to have with Cpl. Bennett.

"He is just the sweetest guy," McGatha said.

JT, who was born with Apert Syndrome, wasn't the only one who had a good time. Following the ride-along, the police department shared several photos on and a heartfelt message on Facebook.

"Carrollton PD would like to thank JT for spending his day with us and we hope that he follows his dreams, wherever they may take him."

FOX 5 asked McGatha what's next for JT and she told us after he graduates from high school in a few weeks, they'll spend the summer traveling and "seeing some of the world."