GRIFFIN

Little trooper succumbs to cancer

11:26 PM CST on Saturday, January 8, 2005

By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA-TV

Six-year-old Griffin Yarbrough fought cancer three times. He passed away Tuesday but not before his final wish came true.

Griffin saw the bright things in life, even during his darkest days.

"He just hated to say goodbye, but last week he was saying goodbye, " his grandmother Vivi Petris said. "He said the best day will be the day I go to heaven."

Griffin was diagnosed with cancer when he was only 2. He battled the disease for 3 years, but he never failed to put a smile on the faces of those who loved him.

When he had to get all his teeth capped because the chemo had caused them to decay, he joked about it. "He said 'Mom, I look like a pirate. It's pretty cool,'" Monique Yarbrough recalled.

Besides wanting to be a superhero and a movie star, Griffin's dream was to be a police officer. He befriended Dallas police officer Dane White whose own daughter has battled cancer.

About a week and a half before he died, the Dallas Police Department made Griffin an honorary officer.

"I would have loved for Griffin to grow up and be my partner," White said, "but I know that right now Griffin is looking over me and 2,500 other Dallas police officers. He's going to protect us the best he can."

Griffin's memorial service was held at DPD headquarters. Everyone dressed in red, his favorite color. The tactical team saluted the family and honored them with a flag.

Griffin's family said they will cremate his body and his ashes will be spread over the ocean in California, just as he wanted.

Birthday: July 13th 1998

Griffin earned his wings on January 4, 2005

Website: www.caringbridge.org/tx/griffinyarbrough and http://www.griffinyarbrough.com

Diagnosis: Neuroblastoma - Stage IV

 Griffin loved spongebob, spiderman, video games, pirates, flashlights, spy stuff, stuffed animals  and Yu-Gi-Oh cards

Siblings Names and Ages: Blake Age 3

Siblings Interest: Dora the Explorer is Blake's favorite.  He loves playing with trains and legos. 

Address where small gifts can be sent: 1400 Harvest Glen Drive, Plano TX 75023