By Pat Culverhouse
Webster Parish has a new deputy sheriff. He’s a lot younger than your average deputy, but he’s packed a lot of life into only 12 years. He’s much smaller than your average law enforcer, but when it comes to spirit and courage there’s nobody bigger.
Meet Devarjaye “D.J.” Daniel. “Welcome to the family,” said Sheriff Jason Parker during a special swearing-in ceremony Wednesday at the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s substation in Bossier City.
Parker joined a dozen law enforcement agencies from Bienville, Webster, Bossier and Caddo parishes plus points in between to make D.J. a certified, badge-carrying member of their departments. After Wednesday, he’s also an ID-carrying Louisiana State Police trooper.
D.J. is now a sworn member of more than 830 law enforcement agencies across the country. And the number will continue to climb. He’s scheduled for more swearings-in later this week in the northwest Louisiana area.
How, one may ask, is a 12-year-old youngster from Houston, Texas gaining the attention and affection of so many departments nationwide? Simple. It’s his dream to become a law enforcement officer everywhere he can…while he can.
At the age of six and a half, DJ was diagnosed with a rare form of brain and spinal cancer. He was given five months to live….six years ago. According to his dad, Theodis Daniel, the thing that has kept him going well beyond the doctor’s time table is his love for law enforcement.
His dad told officials gathered for the special ceremony that D.J. has wanted to be a part of law enforcement since he was a youngster, stranded along with his family and thousands of others in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
“There were practically no supplies or food or water for us at the center where we were staying, but some police officers came by and asked if the kids would like some pizza,” Theodis Daniel said. “D.J. saw those officers, even when little to nothing was available, helping everyone they could. That’s what he decided he wanted to do.”
Following his diagnosis, D.J. and his family began reaching out to law enforcement with his story and the response has been overwhelming.
“How could anyone not want to be a part of something like this for someone this special,” Parker said. “This young man is a testimony to determination and courage. Those are traits we hope to find in all our personnel, and he’s providing us an example even as a young person. It was a pleasure to meet him and to just be around him.”
D.J.’s personality is larger than his small body. When he’s not hugging every officer within arm’s reach, he’s rubbing the bald heads of those who choose to go hairless and exchanging beyond-his-years quips with anyone who engages in conversation.
“I think I need to hire you as my full-time motivational officer,” Bossier City Chief of Police
Daniel Haugen said while presenting the BCPD ID and badge.
D.J.’s plans are to continue traveling the country to become a member of any law enforcement department willing to accept him. His goal is 1,000.
“This is what keeps him going,” Theodis Daniel said. “It’s the love and support he receives from all of you. It’s the camaraderie and the compassion of each and every one of you. He will keep going until he just can’t.”
