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A day to remember: CPD helps make boy’s police dream a reality
n BY DAN CAMPANA
Holding back a smile, David Juarez gave a nod to accept the only job the three-year- old Chicago boy ever wanted – to be a Po- lice Officer.
“Now, you are officially a Chicago Po- lice Officer,” Superintendent Eddie John- son said as he placed a chain with Juarez’s badge over the youngster’s head.
Juarez gave Johnson a salute amid loud
applause at police headquarters at the outset of a special day in December made possible through the joint efforts of the Chicago Police Department and Make-A-Wish Il- linois. A series of Facebook videos, viewed thousands of times, shared highlights throughout Juarez’s big day.
Juarez – who recently endured treatments for a rare form of cancer – dressed the part in a blue CPD hat and shirt. He toured headquarters, including a spin behind the super- intendent’s desk, before heading to McCormick Place to meet some of his heroes and catch some bad guys.
He spent time with officers from the K-9, SWAT and Ma- rine units, donning a particularly noticeable smile when given a chance to hold a blue rubber training rifle. The boy later jumped into action, with a little friendly coaxing from his new police friends, to take down a crew of animal
villains – a lion wearing a prison jumpsuit, a dinosaur, a werewolf and others – who invaded.
Juarez, saying he was scared, backed off from collaring the werewolf, initially. His bravery showed, once armed with a kid- sized siren which did the trick to subdue the lion into handing over a small bag of loot.
Jessica Miller, of Make-A-Wish, said the organization has worked with CPD in recent years to cre- ate special days for children. She added that David’s fam- ily was “quite touched” by the multitude of Police Officers who took the time to meet the boy and make his day spe-
cial.
“It was an overwhelming show of support for him,” Mill-
er said.
In a letter to Johnson, Make-A-Wish CEO Stephanie
Springs also complimented CPD’s efforts.
“It was our great pleasure to work with Lieutenant Rob-
ert Stasch and his team to plan such a wonderful day for David and his family,” Springs wrote. “David really en- joyed all of the special attention and the many wonderful gifts he took home. Seeing him so energetic and happy af- ter a year of cancer treatment was a very special gift to his family.” d
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