A seven-year-old cancer survivor’s dream of becoming a police officer came true when his local Sheriff’s Office made him an honorary deputy.
Romeo Gonzalez, who was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma at age 5, was deputized by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez himself, receiving a certificate and several Harris County Sheriff’s Office goodies during the honorary deputy ceremony.
Romeo’s journey to becoming an honorary deputy began when he met with Homicide Investigator Abigail Talip and shared his dream of joining the force.
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Touched by his story, Investigator Talip, along with Maj. Ben Katrib, worked to make Romeo’s dream a reality.
And the young boy had the chance to experience the life of a law enforcement officer firsthand, riding in a patrol car, exploring SWAT equipment, trying on tactical gear, and even learning how to use handcuffs.
Deputies also treated him to a special tour of the SWAT Bear vehicle.
HCSO Welcomes Deputy Romeo Gonzalez! 👮♂️
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) January 23, 2025
Today, @SheriffEd_HCSO had the honor of swearing in a very special honorary deputy – Romeo!
This courageous young cancer survivor has inspired us all with his strength and determination. pic.twitter.com/26XRbgO5Xx
Having beaten cancer, officers said Romeo’s strength and determination had inspired the entire department.
In a statement, the Sherriff’s department said: “This courageous young survivor has inspired us all with his strength and determination.
“Romeo’s dream of becoming a police officer has come true, and we are thrilled to have helped fulfill his wish.”
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Making dreams like Romeo’s come true has become a heartwarming tradition at the Sheriff’s Office.
“Deputizing children like Romeo is a cherished tradition at HCSO, and Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is honored to continue bringing smiles and hopes to kids,” the department added.