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NYPD Honors Bronx Boy Who Was Home When Father Killed Mother In Murder-Suicide

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A little boy in the Bronx got the surprise of a lifetime from the NYPD, after the tragic loss of his mother and father last year.

As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, Tyrone Lowe was greeted by Mickey and Minnie Mouse when he arrived at the 49th police precinct in the Bronx.

The smiling little boy in the NYPD T-shirt had no idea why he was there.

"Today is a celebration to honor this young man with his bravery," NYPD 49th Precinct Capt. Keith Walton said.

Walton and other officers in the 4-9 took an interest in Tyrone after the murder-suicide of his parents last December.

The boy -- only 6 at the time -- was in the apartment when his father shot his mother.

Police have stepped in to become Tyrone's big brothers and sisters.

"We just wanted to put a smile on his face, make him happy. We're not in the business of providing a short term solution to a long term problem, so what we wanted to do was invest in his future," Walton said.

For the last eight months, officers in the precinct collected donations, held fundraisers and raffles, and even recycled cans to create a college scholarship for Tyrone.

They presented the boy with a check for $5,000 and a surprise trip to Disney World.

It's the trip of a lifetime for the little boy who has already been through more than any child should.

"I want to go on all the slides. I want to see all the characters, Donald Duck, I want to see Mickey," he said.

Officers at the precinct were inspired by the boy's resilience.

"Despite the horrific circumstances that he had to go through forever, a survivor of domestic violence, a domestic violence homicide, to know that he still has that sparkle in his eye and that smile on his face, there's nothing better to see," Officer Dave Lepore said.

Officers with the precinct said their work isn't done. They plan on continuing to raise money for Tyrone's college scholarship.

Tyrone now lives with his aunt who will accompany him on his trip to Disney World.

Donations for Tyrone's college fund are still being accepted.

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