Metro

Police become super heroes for sick kids

Cops dressed as comic book characters on Saturday at a Queens hospital, but to the sick kids there, New York’s Finest were the real heroes of the day.

It was an event to support the young patients at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside, who suffer from complex, long-term illnesses.

About 50 to 60 children watched the Emergency Services unit cops swing from the building dressed as characters like Spider-man and Batwoman — some from outside and others from their bedroom windows. Later, several officers stopped into the rooms to chat with them one-on-one.

Officer Merritt Riley, 53, a cop for 27 years who is now assigned to the Midtown North Precinct and works for the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, helped to organize the event.

His 16-year-old son Aidan, who has cerebral palsy, has received at-home care from hospital staff over years.

“He loved it,” Riley said. “Most kids, you need to buy them sneakers or brand new X-Box games to make them happy. My son just likes to be around people. It was great — it made his day.”

Riley is the founder of Arms Wide Open, an NYPD charity that serves the families of children with complex medical issues.

“I started it because as great as our job is with the NYPD and they have a lot of support groups, [there wasn’t one] for cops with kids with special needs,” he said.

“It felt great,” he said of the event. “I can’t really put it into words, it’s something that just hits you in the heart…It’s a great feeling to make these kids feel special in a good light and get them things they wouldn’t get in a given day.”