Memorial service planned for boy who died after battle with aggressive brain tumor

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Memorial service plans have been announced for the son of a Cornelius police officer who died after a nearly yearlong battle with a rare and aggressive brain tumor.

Cornelius Police Capt. Jennifer Thompson wrote in a Facebook post to the "Warrior Jace" page that her son, Jace Thompson was the bravest and most courageous baby boy after he passed away on Oct. 5.

"I have no doubt, Jace Kinley ran and jumped up into the arms of Jesus and Jesus squeezed him tight," Jennifer Thompson said. "I can hear Jesus saying, warrior, wow, you are loved!"

The family will be hosting a memorial service at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center at 1 p.m. in Albemarle, according to Hartsell Funeral Homes.

Jace Thompson, 5, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor in October 2017 when he was four years old.

[Cornelius rallies to help boy with rare brain tumor]

Jennifer Thompson said in a previous interview she noticed Jace was walking differently.

Shortly after, doctors found a spot on Jace's spinal cord, leading to the diagnose of a rare and aggressive brain tumor.

"No way this was us," Jennifer Thompson said. "No way this was my 4-year-old."

The family opted to pursue a clinical trial in Washington D.C.

But the community quickly rallied around the Thompson family. Cornelius police officers shaved their beards at the end of a two-month fundraiser for Jace Thompson.

Sgt. Johnathan Sarver shaved off his mustache for the first time in 25 years.

Capt. Jennifer Thompson was touched by what the men had done for her family after doctors found a spot on her son's spinal cord.

“Especially Sarver,” Thompson said. “To know what his mustache meant to him.”

[Community raises money for Cornelius boy with rare brain tumor]

Fellow officers stepped in to help pay $40 each as a donation to the family to take part in no-shave November in the Fall of 2017. They extended it to double-down December of the same year.

They sold T-shirts and wristbands. Local businesses started fundraising, as well as officers from Pittsboro.

“Overwhelming to see guys I work with step in to help me, but that’s all a part of the police community,” Thompson said.

They raised $10,000 to help the family with medical bills.

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