10-Year-Old Terminal Cancer Patient Becomes Honorary Member of University Police Departments
Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel became an honorary member of the University of Houston (UH), University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) and University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) Police Departments during a special ceremony held on Monday, Feb. 21.
The 10-year-old, whose wish was to become a peace officer, is battling terminal brain and spine cancer. He has already been sworn into nearly 240 law enforcements agencies across the state of Texas, far surpassing his original goal of 100.
Police Chiefs Ceaser Moore, Jr. (UH), Russell Miller (UHCL) and Casey Davis (UHD) led the ceremonial swearing-in and presented DJ with an Oath of Honorary Appointment from their respective departments, as well as departmental patches and other commemorative gifts.
“It's important that we take every opportunity to support, love and protect, the community we serve,” Chief Davis said. “DJ is special and is an inspiration to more people than he will ever realize.”
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
