BUFFALO, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown and Buffalo Police Department Leadership today held a special Junior Deputy Police Officer Deputization Ceremony today for 13-year-old D'Angelo Matthews.
D'Angelo, age 13 and an 8th grader at Buffalo Public School #90, has battled a rare skin cancer for the past four years, and took his Junior Deputy Officer Pledge from his bed at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood administered the pledge to D'Angelo and D'Angelo's uncle, Buffalo Police Captain Robert Lee, who works out of the BPD's D-District pinned the silver badge on his nephew.
"D'Angelo is his Uncle Robert's biggest fan, and like his uncle, and other Buffalo Police Officers, D'Angelo demonstrates strength, courage, grit, and tremendous determination as he fights his illness. To honor D'Angelo, is it fitting that the City of Buffalo, and the Buffalo Police Department, confer the title of Junior Deputy Police Officer upon this special young man," Mayor Brown said.
In addition to his shiny Deputy Police Officer badge, D'Angelo also received a BPD patch, t-shirts and cap, as well as caps and t-shirts from the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association and the Police Athletic League.
D'Angelo loves drawing and other forms of art, video gaming and is a collector of anime figurines. He and his family enjoyed a trip to Disney World through the local chapter of Make-A-Wish and he has also been honored by the Buffalo Bills.
Deputy Buffalo Police Commissioner Barbara Lark and Buffalo Community Policing Coordinator Lt. Tommy Champion also took part in today's deputization ceremony.
###
D'Angelo loves drawing and other forms of art, video gaming and is a collector of anime igurines, and he's a huge fan of his uncle, Buffalo Police Captain Robert Lee, who works out of the BPD's D-District. Like his uncle, and other Buffalo Police Officers, D'Angelo demonstrated strength, courage, grit, and tremendous determination as his fights his illness. To honor D'Angelo, is it fitting that the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Police Department confer the title of Junior Deputy Police Officer upon this special young man.
On behalf of the people of the City of Buffalo, and as Mayor of this great City, I want you to know we are very proud of you, and wish you all the best in your cancer battle. I also you to know that you, your mom, Angela, uncle, Robert, and all your family and friends, are in our thoughts and prayers.