FALL RIVER, Mass. — A Bristol County probation officer is on his way to Florida for a very special reunion.
He made it his mission to help a family of a World War II veteran whose medals were stolen two years ago.
Bristol County Probation Officer Mark Costa says he doesn't usually let emotions get in the way of his job, but when he found out one of his parolee's was responsible for the World War II medals disappearing, he was angry.
It started with a case that hit Officer Costa's desk in 2014.
“While he was at the assisted living program, the medals became missing,” Costa explained. “The individual that I had on probation was charged with receiving those medals and then, ultimately, discarding them.”
The veteran says he was outraged.
“Having served six years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, it was a despicable act. It angered me,” said Costa.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office received a letter from Fred Sylvia, saying four of his father’s medals had been taken and never recovered.
They included the one he earned fighting in the invasion of Normandy. Fred told FOX25 by phone his dad wanted to be buried with them, but died in 2012 -- making that impossible.
"I couldn't fulfill the promise that they would be in the coffin when he died,” Sylvia said. “I was very bitter for a while about that."
The original medals are gone, but Costa had replicas made and set to work tracking down Silvia’s family in Florida. He's using his own money to fly the medals down to the sunshine state.
“You talk going above and beyond anybody should have to do. I mean, I'm extremely appreciative of what he's doing,” said Sylvia.
Costa spent more than a year working with the Veterans Administration to have the original medals replaced.
“To have these medals where they rightly belong in the hands of the family member of the veteran who earned them, certainly will me the world to me,” said Costa.
His flight to Florda leaves Tuesday morning.