NEW YORK — A 13-year-old cancer fighter with a passion for law enforcement was sworn in as New York City’s deputy mayor for public safety during a ceremony at City Hall.
Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel of Houston, Texas, has spent years honoring police officers nationwide while battling brain and spinal cancer. On Aug. 26, Mayor Eric Adams added another title to his growing list of accomplishments by swearing him in as the city’s honorary deputy mayor for public safety.
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“He has moved across the country doing what he loves, and in this city, public safety has always been our top priority,” Adams said. “It has been DJ’s top priority as well.”
A law enforcement dream
Since his diagnosis in 2018 when he was 6 years old, DJ has been sworn into more than 1,300 law enforcement agencies across the country. In 2025, President Donald Trump made DJ an honorary Secret Service agent during a presidential address to Congress.
In New York, DJ donned his full police uniform as Adams administered the oath with DJ’s father, Theodis, holding the Bible.
Afterward, the mayor presented DJ with a proclamation and a shirt modeled after the one worn by Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my daddy,” DJ said, crediting his father for driving him to ceremonies and helping him live out his dream.
Meet our honorary deputy mayor for public safety!
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 28, 2025
Devarjaye ‘DJ’ Daniel's life is one of turning pain into purpose. His strength and courage have inspired so many across the country, and we are proud to help him continue reaching his dreams. pic.twitter.com/bIuy5PYFoI
A day with the NYPD
Following the ceremony, DJ joined members of the NYPD, including Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Chief of Department John Chell. His day included visiting the department’s mounted unit and K-9 teams and getting a demonstration from the department’s DigiDog.
“First a cop, and now our Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, DJ is working overtime to keep New Yorkers safe,” Tisch shared on social media.
Welcome back to One Police Plaza, DJ!
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) August 26, 2025
First a cop, and now our Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, DJ is working overtime to keep New Yorkers safe.
His first order of business was checking in on the NYPD's Mounted Unit and K9s to make sure they are ready for action. pic.twitter.com/Kv57r8YglK
DJ’s day ended with an appearance at Yankee Stadium before the team’s matchup with the Washington Nationals.
A familiar honor
This isn’t the first time DJ has been recognized in New York. In 2022, at just 10 years old, he was sworn in as NYPD’s honorary commissioner.
Now, with another title under his belt, DJ continues to inspire both officers and the public with his resilience and dedication to law enforcement.
