The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office will host a special swearing-in ceremony on Friday to welcome 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel as an honorary deputy, recognizing the young cancer warrior’s courage, resilience, and unwavering support for law enforcement.
The ceremony, led by Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, will take place at the Fred Taylor Headquarters Auditorium in Doral. Joining the Sheriff will be representatives from the FBI, the Executive Office of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), City of Doral Police, and North Bay Village Police Departments.
“This is a small way to show our love and deep appreciation,” said Sheriff Cordero-Stutz. “Honorary Deputy Devarje ‘DJ’ Daniel embodies the values of integrity, respect, accountability, and service that are at the heart of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.”
Diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer in 2018 and given just months to live, DJ has undergone 13 brain surgeries and defied every medical expectation. Now 13 years old, the Houston native has turned his personal battle into a national mission of hope. Inspired by the police officers who helped his family during Hurricane Harvey, DJ set a goal to be sworn in by 1,000 law enforcement agencies. Today, he has been recognized by more than 1,351 departments—including the Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration—and holds a Guinness World Record for the feat.
His journey has taken him from Rhode Island to St. Thomas to St. Louis, where 203 agencies swore him in during a single ceremony. Just in April, Acting DEA Administrator Derek S. Maltz welcomed DJ as an honorary DEA Special Agent, marking his 1,259th swearing-in.
DJ’s infectious smile and unwavering determination have made him a beloved figure across the country. His story was thrust into the national spotlight in March, when President Donald Trump introduced him during a joint address to Congress and had him sworn in as an honorary member of the U.S. Secret Service.
As he continues his mission to visit and honor as many law enforcement agencies as possible, communities across the nation—including here in Miami-Dade—are rallying to celebrate his strength, honor his service, and let him know that he’s not alone.
