Home of: Chase Mergenthaler

POLSON - When some children are younger, they dream of being a superhero or real-life hero like a policeman.

Ten-year-old Chase Mergenthaler sure does.

He accompanies his mom, Linda, when she does business with Jeff Andrews of State Farm Insurance and arrests the front office ladies.

Last week, he got to do the real thing.

"You should have seen his face, he was just in heaven," Linda said.

His dreams came true when Chase was able to meet Sheriff Lucky Larson and put Andrews in handcuffs.

Chase often carries handcuffs with him and wears his dad's Navy dog tags around his neck. Spiderman is a popular character in his life, as well as G.I. Joe, Batman and Walker Texas Ranger.

"I want to become like [a policeman]," Chase said. "You get a taser."

When Larson pulled out his taser, Chase was equally as entertained, but Andrews drew the line.

"He totally jumped out of that ring," Chase said.

Chase was able to meet Larson and a couple of deputy sheriffs as a present from State Farm as he is getting four teeth pulled this week.

Normally, getting teeth pulled isn't a big deal to most people.

However, for Chase it is. He has had three open heart surgeries, the first when he was two weeks old, and his heart defect has turned little things like getting teeth pulled into a big deal.

"It seems normal, but it's not," Linda said. "It's a huge deal."

A team of doctors will stand by during the surgery in Missoula and Linda said currently Chase is doing tremendously well.

Chase has spent a lot of time in hospitals, but hasn't had a long stint since February 2007, "which is truly a miracle," Linda said.

Earlier this year, Chase caught the flu and mononucleosis and was hospitalized, causing him to miss school. This year is the first year he is able to go to school, taking a desk at Linderman.

"He loves it," Linda said. "Hopefully, he'll be able to go back next week. He misses his friends."

Like many other kids, he has a fear of going to middle school, saying "they don't let you read picture books," and enjoys recess the most. He wants contacts because he can't wear his superhero masks with glasses on and he doesn't like tarantulas.

The origin of Chase's love of police officers is a mystery to Linda.

"There aren't any in our family," she said. "I think the kicking butt and taking names is appealing."

Chase and Linda had no idea what, or who, was waiting for them when they went to State Farm. Heather Currie, of State Farm, set up the surprise instead of getting Chase a toy or present.

"Chase had the time of his life," Currie said. "They showed him the sirens, lights and he got to sit in the car."

Along with talking to dispatch, Larson invited Chase to visit the county jail, to which Chase asked: "Can my mom and dad come, too? I want to put my mom in the slammer."

Linda finds Chase's antics amusing, sometimes embarrassing.

"I have to really watch him," she said.

Linda has watched Chase closely for the last 10 years. When he was in the hospital, she would often be forced to eat a meal or leave the room, just to get some fresh air.

"There were days where I wouldn't go outside his room," she said. "For a span of 17 days, I didn't leave the hospital."

Chase hasn't just lived through a lot in his time, he has also inspired many. Chase's paternal grandpa and maternal grandma both passed away from cancer, saying "if Chase can do this, I can do this."

"He really inspired them at such a young age," Linda said. "[Chase] was seven. He just knew it was hard. They derived so much joy and strength from him. If this little boy can do this, so can I. He is dynamic and loving and compassionate, even if he wants to put me in the slammer."

Larson also gave Chase a badge that will be sewn on to a brown shirt, just like the one Larson wears.

Chase's next dream is to get hit by a meteor, gain super human strength and rip up the stairs in his house.

Why?

So he can get his dad's Navy hats that are stored in the closet underneath to play with.