HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A Rhode Island mother Thursday paid her respects to fallen Los Angeles police Officer Nicholas Lee, who was featured in a special birthday video for her son battling leukemia.

Rachel Seddon flew from the East Coast to attend the memorial service of 40-year-old Lee, who was killed last Friday when his police cruiser was struck by a heavy duty truck in Beverly Hills.

“It was very emotional for me…just kinda hit me hard,” she said.

Although Seddon never met the officer, she felt his kindness and compassion through an LAPD video for her 7-year-old son, Tyler.

Tyler is in his second fight with leukemia. For his birthday, Seddon asked police and firefighters to send her son birthday cards.

Seddon said out of all the gifts they received, the LAPD video was the family’s favorite.

“Tyler couldn’t be here because he was in the hospital, so I just figured what better thing to do than to come out and support them in their time of need, like they’re supporting me,” she said.

As a mother of three, Seddon said it was hard to see Lee’s two young daughters.

“It’s heartbreaking for me to see them, but sitting there thinking he’s still looking down on them and he’s going to protect them along with the whole LAPD and everyone behind him,” Seddon said.

Seddon hopes that she can bring Tyler out to Los Angeles one day to meet his heroes.

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