Ferguson Police Chief Organizes B-day Parade

For Cancer Survivor Turning 6

The Ferguson Police Department. supported an amazing and brave young lady on her 6th birthday on Saturday, March 6 as she continues to fight this terrible disease,” said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell.
Ferguson Police Chief Jason Armstrong arranged a 6th birthday parade on Saturday, March 6 for a Ferguson resident named Paydenn, who was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in July 2020.
Those joining the parade met at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the parking lot of First Baptist Church, 333 N. Florissant Rd. in Ferguson. The parade proceeded west down January Avenue. Paydenn and her family greeted the parade at the corner of January Avenue and Warfield Drive.
“We were joined by police cars and fire cars from all over,” said Ferguson Police Chief Jason Armstrong. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell was also among the well-wishers.
The parade was requested by Samantha  Mason, the girl’s mother. Last week she and Paydenn came upon a man in a business suit directing traffic on North Florissant Drive in Ferguson. Samantha was surprised to discover it was the Ferguson Police Chief, who had happened upon a nasty traffic accident while off-duty and got out of this car to direct traffic.
Samantha remarked that the Ferguson Police Department had been organizing birthday parades for children before the pandemic. She explained that her daughter was very sick and unable to have a birthday party and asked the chief if he could organize a parade for her daughter’s 6th birthday.
“I have a 6-year-old daughter myself,” Chief Armstrong said. “When I think of the likelihood that I would be on the street directing traffic and the likelihood that Samantha and Paydenn would drive by, I have to think I was supposed to be there.”
Out of health concerns, the parade could not stop to visit with Paydenn and she was not able to accept gifts in person.

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