Compassionate corporal helps child

Thanks to an Idaho State Police corporal, a Spokane boy felt a lot safer after a car wreck earlier this month that left him scared and crying.

Not only did the officer calm him at the scene, but 5-year-old Phaelan Stader received a surprise in the mail just a few days later.

Rayel Von Quade, Phaelan's mother, recently found out why Cpl. Al Ashby knew just what to say to soothe the troubled boy. Ashby's son, 4-year-old Eli, has congestive heart failure.

"He was so compassionate for Phaelan," Von Quade said of Ashby. "He has his own son who has been going through a hard time. He knew exactly what he needed to do to be able to comfort Phaelan. It was great."

Von Quade was driving with Phaelan near the Idaho-Washington state line along Interstate 90 around 5 p.m. Jan. 3 when an accident ahead of her caused traffic to slow. As she slowed down, a vehicle struck them from behind.

Within minutes, the paramedics and Ashby arrived. Von Quade said Ashby came around the side of the car and opened the door where her son was seated.

"He was crying and scared and Officer Ashby asked if he was hurt," Von Quade said. "(Ashby) was just trying to visit with him and help him calm down and engage in conversation with him."

Phaelan bumped his head during the crash and told Ashby that his head hurt. Ashby gave Phaelan stickers and told him he had a son Phaelan's age. That was when Ashby told him that if he could be brave and make it through the ordeal, Ashby would send Phaelan his old ISP uniform patch.

"I assumed it was just something they tell the kids to try and distract them at the time," Von Quade said.

The following Monday, a package showed up addressed to Phaelan from the state police. Excited to get the first mail ever addressed to him, Phaelen could barely contain himself. Von Quade said he was jumping around trying to open the package as quickly as possible.

Ashby had sent Phaelan the patch, along with a hand-written letter stating he was happy Phaelan was OK and had not been hurt worse and thanking him for wearing his seat belt. Included in the package were some ISP cards, a coloring book, crayons and pencils.

"The fact that it was just a few days later and he took the time to do a hand-written letter, put the package together and send it," Von Quade said. "Just the follow-through and the concern was really touching."

Von Quade created a Facebook post detailing the incident and said she hopes it will go viral to spread the word of Ashby's kindness, as well as the story of his son.

Info: www.facebook.com/hotlikewasabiii/posts/10153218510236479