This Early Christmas Gift After His Dad's Death Is Exactly What 1 Toddler Needed

While responding to a disturbance call, Blake Snyder was shot and killed.

At the time of his death, this St. Louis officer left behind a wife and 2-year-old son, Malachi. Although it has been two months since Blake's tragic passing, Malachi doesn't understand yet that his father won't be coming home. "Malachi has been asking for his daddy a lot which is hard," his wife, Elizabeth Snyder, told KTVI. "I don't know how to respond to him yet. Every time I look at him, I'm also reminded of my husband not coming home."

But during this difficult time, Malachi receives some comfort in an unexpected way from his dad. The child now has two new teddy bears that were made out of Blake's uniforms to cuddle whenever he needs a hug. The meaningful stuffed animals were given to the little boy as an early Christmas present from a family friend and include special messages of "love you always" and "always with you" stitched into each bear's foot.

"He wasn't perfect, (no one is), but he WAS a perfect father. He loved Chi with every fiber of his being and wanted the world for him," Elizabeth wrote in a separate post on Facebook. "These two boys mean everything to me, and I'm thankful I have a bit of Blake still here with me."