NYPD sends boy orphaned by murder-suicide to Disney World

EASTCHESTER, Bronx -- The NYPD has stepped in with an act of kindness for a boy who desperately needed one. After 7-year-old Tyrone Lowe was orphaned by domestic violence, several officers went above and beyond to make him smile.

And at the 49th Precinct in the Bronx Thursday, Lowe got a very big surprise.

He arrived to trumpets playing amid flashing lights, and he was greeted by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and the news that he is headed to Disney World. Additionally, $5,000 will be placed in a college fund for his future.

"Dreams do come true," he said. "They're great. They're awesome. Thank you. I love you."

Lowe's father killed his mother last December before taking his own life.

"He happened to be present in the household when the incident took place, and we just wanted to provide him with some hope," precinct commander Captain Keith Walton said.

Police raised the money bit by bit over the past eight months, because they say Tyrone is a bright charismatic little boy who deserved better.

"We petitioned other community affairs officers throughout the Bronx to donate $1 per cop, per precinct," NYPD Community Affairs Officer David Lepore said. "To know that he still has a sparkle in his eye and that smile on his face, there's nothing better to see."

It was a major grassroots effort in the community, and police did everything from collecting recyclables to simply asking for donations.

"We're not in the business of providing a short-term solution to a long-term problem," Walton said. "So what we wanted to do was invest in his future...So I challenged all these sports fans that pay $5,000 and $10,000 for a seat, well, you can do something better with that money. You can contribute it to the college fund of Tyrone Lowe."

It is an ongoing effort, and anyone who wishes to contribute can contact the 49th Precinct community affairs desk at (718) 918-2032.