‘I’m just going to keep going until my gas tank runs out’: 12-year-old boy battles cancer and joins Lighthorse police

DURANT, Oklahoma (KXII) – The average citizen will never be sworn into office.

But DJ Daniel is not an ordinary DJ.

He is just 12 years old and already a member of 842 law enforcement agencies.

“These police ceremonies have proven useful to him,” said DJ’s father, Theodis Daniel.

DJ suffers from a rare form of brain and spinal cord cancer.

There is no cure.

But he doesn’t let that hold him back.

“I’m just going to keep going until my gas tank runs out,” he said. “And when my gas tank runs out, that’s when God calls you home, and you never know when God is going to call you home.”

DJ is from Houston but was in Oklahoma Thursday night where he was sworn in by the Choctaw Lighthorse Police Department.

“With DJ’s perseverance and dedication to his cause, this is certainly a teaching moment for all of us,” said Lighthorse Police Chief Jesse Petty.

DJ said if he didn’t have to return home, he would have stayed in Durant.

“Honestly, if I had a job, I would be here because it’s peaceful and quiet down here,” he said.

DJ experienced Hurricane Harvey when his house was destroyed.

The actions of the first responders inspired him and he decided on the spot what his next steps would be.

His original goal was to take 100 oaths.

He has already achieved this goal, but he is not finished yet.

Now he has his sights set on the Guinness World Record.

“DJ had five months to live. The doctors are confused why he is still here, but I told them it is because he is living a normal life,” Theodis said.

Earlier this week, DJ was sworn in by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“No matter how bad you think you are, it’s only bad if you sit there and believe it,” Theodis said.

He says that traveling is sometimes tiring and he is ready to come home and enjoy a break.

But DJ says the break will be short and he will be back on duty shortly.

All rights reserved.