Texas House recognizes 13‑year‑old DJ Daniel and swears him in as honorary law‑enforcement officer

The Texas House of Representatives on April 7, 2025, adopted House Resolution 797 recognizing 13‑year‑old Devar “DJ” Daniel and held a ceremony at the state Capitol that included ceremonial swearing‑in by multiple law enforcement agencies and presentation of a customized pair of boots. The resolution designates April 7, 2025, as DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol.

The resolution, read into the record and adopted without objection, cites Daniel’s diagnosis with a rare form of brain cancer, more than a dozen brain surgeries and clinical trials, and his national outreach to raise awareness of childhood cancer. It states that Daniel set a goal of being sworn in as an honorary officer by 1,000 agencies in memory of a fellow child and that, to date, “he has been honored by more than 900 departments around the country.” The resolution also says Daniel was named an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent on March 4, 2025.

Representative Charlie Garen of Tarrant County moved adoption of HR 797; the chair asked if there was any objection and, hearing none, declared the resolution adopted. Afterward, the chair recognized law‑enforcement officers on the dais, and the transcript records Tarrant County and Fort Worth law‑enforcement officials administering ceremonial oaths. The chair then recognized Bill Wayborn, identified in the transcript as sheriff of Tarrant County, and Chris Daniels, identified as deputy chief of the Fort Worth Police Department, to appoint Daniel as an honorary officer of their agencies and administer the oath.

Colonel Freeman Martin, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety, addressed the chamber during the ceremony. He told members the department first welcomed Daniel as a state trooper in February 2022 and noted Daniel’s promotion earlier that day to a ceremonial role on the governor’s executive protection detail. “DJ is Texas strong. We’re proud to have him in the DPS family,” Colonel Martin said.

Members of the House and several law‑enforcement agencies also presented Daniel with a customized pair of Texas‑made boots from Fanolio Boot Company; James Fanolio, David Fanolio, Justin Powell and Emma Wallace were recognized on the floor. Representative Garen invited members and guests to line the West Hallway and to join a presentation at the North Steps after the ceremony.

The ceremony and adoption of HR 797 concluded with an invitation for members and the public to greet Daniel and his family on the North Steps of the Capitol. No opposing motions or recorded roll‑call votes were recorded in the transcript for the resolution’s adoption; the chair adopted the resolution by unanimous voice objection noted as “none.”