For a little boy who loves police and fireman, what’s better than an escort? And this one happened on a very special day for Aiden Duval, age 3, and his family: adoption day!

On Friday, Nov. 17, Aiden’s adoption was finalized at court in Brockton, Mass. When the family reached Portsmouth they were met by Bristol Police Motorcycle Unit officers Ptlm. Greg Silvia, Sgt. Michael Vieira, and Ptlm. Barry Carinha along with Lt. Rick Giannini of the Bristol Fire Department, who escorted the family home to Richmond Street.

After gratefully receiving police and fire-themed gifts, Aiden shook hands and posed for photos with the first responders, before making Giannini open every hatch on the fire truck to inspect its contents.

Aiden’s mother Ruth, a physical therapist and native of Connecticut, came to Bristol several years ago when she was hired by Newport Hospital. Now she works in early intervention, and it was in that capacity that she met Aiden when he was just 2 years old. She had served as a foster parent years ago and had hoped that would lead to adoption, but the child was reunited with her family.

“I didn’t know if I could do that again,” Ruth said. She consulted with her daughter Madeline, now 12 and a student at KMS. “Then Madeline and I decided we’d give it another try.”

“At the time Madeline said, ‘well, if the child doesn’t get to stay can we get a cat?’” Ruth laughed. “Now we have both.”