GLADSTONE - In a display of community strength, the Gladstone City Commission welcomed a heartwarming commencement to Monday night's meeting. The source - a five-year-old boy with unmatched determination, equally unstoppable heart and the dream of becoming a police officer.
On May 9, Cameron Delveaux was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, called stem glimoa. The location of the tumor - on the brain stem-makes it nearly impossible to remove with any type of surgery. For this reason, the primary treatment for stem glimoa remains chemotherapy and radiation, which Cameron is currently undergoing at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Recently, a benefit dinner was held at the Grace Church of Gladstone to help the family with travel and medical expenses. The immense community and family support for Cameron was unmistakable Monday, as groups of family and friends wearing "Cameron's Crew" t-shirts filled the meeting room to watch the five-year-old's honorary induction as a police officer.
According to Public Safety Director Paul Geyer, Cameron's struggle thus far has more than earned him the rights to become an honorary police officer within Gladstone Public Safety.
"Cameron's family recently contacted us and informed us that one of Cameron's wishes was to become a police officer," explained Geyer. "Cameron recently rode with me during the Gladstone July Fourth Parade, and he and I and his family had a wonderful time leading the floats down Delta Avenue to Van Cleve Park. I am here with several members of my department to induct Cameron Delveaux as an honorary public safety officer of the Gladstone Public Safety Department."
During his emotional induction speech, Geyer noted Cameron's courage and bravery have been "steadfast" and inspirational to the department.
"Cameron has made a huge impact on our department - he really has, and we're behind him 100 percent," he said. "We are here tonight, before the commission, to make Cameron's wish of becoming a police officer, come true."
Geyer presented the uniform-clad Cameron with a picture of his police-escorted ride through the Fourth of July Parade, which was signed by all members of the public safety department. He also presented and read the official certificate making the awe-inspiring boy an honorary police officer.
"Let it be known that one this day, July 26, 2010, Cameron Delveaux is hereby installed as an honorary public safety officer for the Gladstone Public Safety Department," read Geyer. "Your courage, bravery and spirit have made our community of Gladstone, Mich., proud."
The commissioners reiterated the unbelievable effect five-year-old Cameron was able to make on a roomful of adults.
"I would like to thank Director Geyer and the rest of Public Safety for doing a great job with Cameron, you made his dream come true," said Commissioner Craig Lauerman.
"It sure makes all of our city problems, personal problems, look insignificant compared to what he's going through and his family."
