Avant Turner met police officer Charles Irvine Jr. in February and had been visiting the officer every day on his way home from school. So when Avant found out that his hero had been killed in the line of duty, he was devastated.

Irvine died after a car accident while chasing down a suspect in Milwaukee. He was just 23-years-old. But in the time that he had spent as a police officer he had made a huge impact on one 12-year-old boy that called Irvine his best friend.

Avant’s mother says the two had formed an inseparable bond, and when Avant found out about Irvine’s death, he went to his room and cried. A few days later, he made his trip to the District 4 station, but instead of visiting with Irvine, he stopped by the officer’s memorial outside of the station.

The squad car had been draped in black and was covered in beautiful flowers and gifts by members of the community. Avant says he could barely see the car underneath. He even saw a picture of his best friend and knew he had to leave him a note.

Avant went to school and made a handwritten letter to his best friend. It was just a regular white piece of paper tucked in among all the other memorial gifts, but what his note read would have meant the world to Officer Irvine.

“Thank you for being my best friend and helping me calm down,” the note read. “Sincerely, Avant Turner.”

Check out the video below of the story between a boy and his best friend and be sure to share it with your friends.