WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — A 13-year-old cancer survivor who's been making waves nationally stopped in Polk County this week where he was sworn in as an honorary deputy sheriff.
Sheriff Grady Judd administered the oath of office to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel just weeks after the teen was appointed as an honorary special agent of the U.S. Secret Service during President Trump's March 4 joint address to Congress.
DJ has undergone 13 brain surgeries since being diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer in 2018. His father, Theodis Daniel, remarked that DJ is "beating the odds" in a news release from the U.S. Secret Service Communication Team.
The 13-year-old's dream is to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records by being sworn in at 1,000 police agencies across the nation. He and his father have made it to 914 different agencies so far, with the Polk County Sheriff's Office being their latest stop.
"He always wanted to get sworn in at the best and that's why he's here with us today," Judd remarked at the swearing in ceremony at the sheriff's office.
"Is it just me or are you a mind reader," DJ replied. "Because that's exactly what I was going to say."
The sheriff and DJ sent laughs throughout the crowd of spectators as they went back and forth bouncing jokes off each other. Many of DJ's family members were also in attendance to watch him be sworn in.
"As soon as I get sworn in, when do I get paid?" DJ joked.
"I'm going to give you a tip, stay out of the rain and you won't get wet," Judd replied.
DJ then lifted his right hand and repeated the oath to support, protect and defend the people of the United States and Florida. Afterward, he shook hands with the sheriff and asked that, this time, his cousin be given the honor of pinning his badge on his chest.
"That's not all. You don't have your hat," Judd said before retrieving a cream-colored cowboy hat and placing it on DJ's head.
The two shared a big hug at the conclusion of the ceremony, with Judd adding that DJ has a place at the sheriff's office in the future if he wants it.
"Listen, when you get to be 18, you've got to come back and work for me, OK?" Judd said.
