Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd held a special swearing-in ceremony on Friday for 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a Texas boy battling incurable brain cancer, as he works toward his goal of setting a Guinness World Record. DJ dreams of becoming a police officer and hopes to be sworn in at 1,000 law enforcement agencies across the country.
DJ has already reached 914 swearing-ins, including a particularly high-profile one—being sworn in as a Secret Service agent by President Donald Trump. His journey has been nothing short of inspiring, defying the odds after doctors gave him just five months to live when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018. Since then, he has undergone more than a dozen brain surgeries and is part of a research study that has given his family renewed hope.
On Friday, DJ arrived at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to a standing ovation. Dressed in the department’s signature green deputy uniform, he officially became an honorary Polk County Deputy Sheriff. Sheriff Judd, known for his charismatic personality, shared a lighthearted exchange with DJ during the ceremony.
Judd: “At 18, you come back, you move to Florida, and you come to work for me. Register to vote because you know I’m going to need some votes by that time.”
DJ: “Trust me, if you want to say something, all you have to do is tell me to say it.”
DJ’s mission has touched the hearts of law enforcement officers nationwide, with departments eager to honor his wish. His determination, strength, and unwavering spirit serve as an inspiration—not only to the police force but to all who hear his story.
