Police Chief Playing Santa Learns Sign Language In 3 Days To Brighten 6 Year-Old's Christmas

December 21, 2014

In a scene reminiscent of Miracle on 34th Street, 6 year-old Sadie Adam was stopped in her tracks when she sat on Santa's lap and he started signing.

Her mother, Ronelle Adam, told WCVB, "I instantly started tearing."

YouTube

The man in the red suit, Westminster Mass. police chief Salvatore Albert, had no experience with sign language until Ronelle approached him and asked if he would learn just enough for her daughter to communicate.

"She sat with me for about an hour," Albert said. "I practiced it for three days."

When it came time to perform, Albert nailed it.

"Santa knew my name," little Sadie said after the meeting. "He knew how to sign it. I told him what I wanted - a kitchen and a baby."

Her mother said she has not stopped talking about it since.