By Suzie Ziegler
VICTORIA COUNTY, Texas — A young boy on a mission has captured the hearts of Texas law enforcement. Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, who is battling a deadly form of brain cancer, made it his goal to be sworn in by 100 law enforcement agencies. He’s already made it to 230.
One of his recent stops was in Victoria County, Texas, where he was sworn in by six public safety agencies including the Victoria police and fire departments, reported the Victoria Advocate.
The 10-year-old seemed particularly impressed by Victoria public safety.
“This one was winner winner, chicken dinner,’” DJ said at the ceremony on February 18. “It was the best one I ever had.”
DJ was also made an Honorary District Attorney’s Investigator on February 22, where he received the commendation in person from Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, who praised the youngster who is battling terminal brain and spine cancer, almost four years after he was diagnosed with five months to live.
“We all have a lot of confidence that you, DJ, will fight to uphold our Constitution and our laws, like we do,” Ogg said at a ceremony with her leadership team and a dozen officers from other agencies applauding the boy. “The fact that you want to do this, as a young person, makes us feel great about the difficulties we face every day in fighting crime. To have a new, young, strong, brave ally is exactly what law enforcement needed.”
DJ has wanted to become a police officer since three Houston cops helped his family after Hurricane Harvey destroyed their home, according to the report.
“Once those three officers made that everlasting first impression, that just kind of stuck on him,” said Theodis Daniel, DJ’s father.
In 2018, DJ was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma grade III, a disease often caused by cancerous tumors and affects the central nervous system, the report says.
DJ has had 11 surgeries, but his dad says DJ keeps a positive attitude.
“This Devarjaye has changed 11 times. He’d just come with a new personality and what has emerged is the new Devarjaye with the jokes and laughs. He says the corniest things in the world,” Daniel said. “He doesn’t let it slow him down.”
In the meantime, DJ plans to push forward by swearing-in at as many police agencies as possible.