A group of police officers in Missouri wanted to escort a little boy with autism to his first day of kindergarten when they heard his dad wouldn’t be able to.

Carmine Mattaline, 5, didn’t think his dad, who had just had serious surgery for cancer, would escort him, so two dozen officers from the Chesterfield Police Department, where Carmine’s dad is a sergeant, stepped in.

"We decided we need to pay it back to him and be here for his family," Officer Chris Kaatman told KMOV.

At the last minute, though, doctors gave Andy Mattaline, Carmine's dad, the OK to walk his son to school. He surprised Carmine on the morning of, even though he had to make the journey in his wheelchair.

"This is one of my biggest days and I just didn't want to miss this," Mattaline said. "He means the world to me. We've been through a lot together.”

Mattaline and his fellow officers sent Carmine off all together on the special day.

"It's an overwhelming amount of support that I just can't process right now," Mattaline told the station. "I just love the support ... I can't thank anybody enough.”

The dad had to go back to the hospital afterward, but after some recovery, he should be home with family for good.

RELATED STORIES 

Dozens of Children in Need Get Surprised With Bikes on First Day of School

Pregnant Kate Too Sick to See Prince George's First Day of School

Student Reenacts Photo From First Day Of Kindergarten at High School Graduation