Associated Press

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — An 8-year-old boy used his birthday party to give to the children of a slain Mississippi police officer.

Multiple news outlets reported Thursday that Carson Atkins, who turns 9 at the end of June, asked his friends to donate money to Hattiesburg police officer Benjamin J. Deen's two children, ages 9 and 12, instead of giving him presents at his birthday party last week.

Officer Benjamin Deen. (AP Image)

Officer Deen's brother, Josh Deen, surprised Carson by showing up at the party and giving Carson his brother's baseball card collection. Carson is an avid baseball player. Seven deputies from Lamar County Sheriff's Department also attended the celebration.

Benjamin Deen and officer Liquori Tate were killed in the line of duty May 9.

Carson's mother says donations from the party raised nearly $1,000.

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