BUFFALO, N.Y. — Shawn Slattery has been in law enforcement for nearly 30 years. Though he's not hanging up the badge anytime soon, he's now serving the community in a different way...in a different uniform.
By day, he's a jail deputy at the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden.
In the evening, on weekends, and whenever he's needed, Slattery transforms into a super hero — Captain America.
He travels with other members of the Justice League of Western New York to hospitals, charity walks, and other special events to pose for pictures and just put a smile on kids' faces.
The visits are a welcome break from medicines and treatments.
For parents like Meghan Benimoff, Slattery is a super hero...even without the costume.
"He doesn't have to do what he does. He works full time, and he has his own family to take care of, himself to take care of, but he thinks of others," said Benimoff.
Her six-year-old son, Desmond, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was diagnosed in January 2019.
He takes dozens of pills, has multiple doctors visits each month and undergoes serious procedures, like spinal taps.
Desmond is a super hero buff, so imagine his surprise when he awoke from a procedure and Captain America was waiting at his bedside.
Justice League of WNY lifts spirits of children in the hospital
"It was just an amazing moment. The smile on Desmond's face...at first I think he was just shocked. Then came all of the questions he had for Captain America," said Benimoff. "It means the world to me, and it means the world to Desmond. Just to have a sense of normalcy and some fun in his life...when normally he is going through tests and procedures and pill taking."
And it means the world to Slattery.
"You're doing it for those people but for your own sake, for your own heart. Just do it. You'd be surprised how much it'll brighten up that person's life," said Slattery. "You feel good that you're just giving them some hope."
MORE AT WGRZ.COM: Lancaster parents start wheelchair basketball team for daughter with spina bifida, kids of all abilities
MORE AT WGRZ.COM: 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora offers Airbnb rentals with new Lofts at 42
MORE AT WGRZ.COM: 'It's okay to not be okay': Wyoming County woman raises mental health, suicide awareness at roadside produce stand