Chief Donna McNamara is pictured with Devarjaye Daniel after he was sworn in as an honorary member of the Stoughton Police Department on Dec. 5. (Courtesy Photo) Devarjaye Daniel was sworn in as an honorary member of 50 individual police agencies at the FBI National Academy on Dec. 5. (Courtesy Photo) Devarjaye Daniel, who visited the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia with his family on Dec. 5, speaks to Session 284 students. (Courtesy Photo) Session 284’s students collected donations and coordinated with their individual departments to ensure Devarjaye Daniel’s visit to Quantico was filled with fun and lasting memories. (Courtesy Photo)
STOUGHTON — The Stoughton Police Department welcomed a new member to its ranks this week, 11-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, who participated in an honorary swearing-in ceremony with Chief Donna McNamara at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Chief McNamara is currently attending the 10-week FBI National Academy as part of Session 284. On Dec. 5, Session 284’s students welcomed DJ, of Pearland, Texas ,and members of his family to Quantico where they recognized and honored his courage as he continues to beat the odds against his terminal cancer diagnosis. Session 284 collected donations and coordinated with their individual departments to ensure DJ’s visit was filled with fun and lasting memories.
Session 284’s students, who represent 50 individual police agencies from across the country, swore DJ in as an honorary member of their agencies, including Chief McNamara on behalf of the Stoughton Police Department. Chief McNamara gave DJ an honorary Oath of Office, and a department patch and pin.
“This was truly a group effort between Session 284 and the departments we are representing, and the Stoughton Police Department was pleased to help DJ along in his mission,” Chief McNamara. “DJ is a courageous and inspiring kid, and it’s an honor for us to welcome him to our ranks.”
The session’s students also made DJ an honorary member of their class, and he was presented with honorary FBI Special Agent credentials.
DJ is on a mission to be sworn into 758 law enforcement agencies to honor fellow cancer patient and Texan Abigail Arias, a 7-year-old who succumbed to the disease three years ago. The number 758 had been Arias’ honorary badge number in a similar odyssey in which she had engaged. DJ’s mission is to honor Arias’ legacy and passion for the law enforcement profession, as well as increase awareness of childhood cancer.
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