By Police1 Staff
BRIGHTON, Colo. — The boy with an inoperable brain tumor who was sworn in as Brighton’s youngest police officer died Friday, police said.
“He got more time than we thought he’d have,” John Bradley, Brighton Police spokesman, said of Jose Rubio-Pavon, 12. He had always wanted to be a police officer.
In May, Brighton Officers Anna-Marie Cuney, Levy Slagle and Cpl. Monce Portillo swore in Rubio-Pavon during a ceremony in his hospice room. He was presented with a certificate officially recognizing him as a member of the Brighton Police Department, a police uniform shirt and a junior officer badge.
A police and fire procession will travel to the funeral Tuesday, where they will conduct an honorary ceremony for Rubio-Pavon as part of the proceedings.
Bradley said officers close to Rubio-Pavon are taking a few days off to recover from what he called “a rough couple days.” The department is thankful for the outpouring of support during the entire process, including the mailing in of police patches from across the country for Rubio-Pavon to enjoy.
“It’s great what this community can do,” Bradley said. “The smile on his face was just amazing.”
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