8-yr-old with cancer wanted to be a policeman, so local PD swore him in. When he died, police from 4 states came to honor him
Cancer is one of the most exhausting battles anyone can face, and some types are so aggressive that treatment options are limited. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is one of them. It is a rare, inoperable, aggressive brain tumor that has no known cure. Eight-year-old Joey Fabus was diagnosed with DIPG, and his family knew time was limited, as per CBS News. But instead of letting that define his final months, they made it their mission to help him experience everything he loved. Joey had always dreamed of becoming a police officer. That dream came true when the Bethel Park Police Department swore him in as an honorary officer, reported CBS Pittsburgh.
He received a badge, and a uniform and even went on patrol with Officer Tom Regatti, who partnered with him that day and soon became his friend. He recalled how much it meant to Joey, saying, "I'll never forget his smile. He was an extraordinary young boy who really loved police officers, and every time he was around a person in uniform, he adored them." Even as his illness progressed, Joey never lost his enthusiasm. His family started sharing his experiences online, posting updates and photos of him. His father, David Fabus, explained how the family's private journey turned into something much bigger.
"We started Joey’s journey to start posting because people wanted to know what was happening with him, and it was easier just to copy-paste it right onto there and let them read everything that happened every day," Joey's father said. Over 20,000 photos documented Joey’s experiences—not only with law enforcement but also with the military, on River Rescue boats, and alongside bomb squads. He even got to throw the first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. But behind every joyful moment was the painful reality of DIPG. His mother, Cindy Fabus, shared what it was like knowing they were racing against time. "You have to wake up every morning and live that nightmare over and over again, knowing that you’re one day closer to the end and there’s nothing that anybody can do," she said.
When he passed away after a seven-month battle with DIPG, officers from four states arrived in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, to pay their respects. Hundreds stood in uniform as part of a full police procession, with K-9 units, honor guards, and patrol cars lining the streets. Lt. Phil Redford traveled from Wheeling, West Virginia, saying, "His desire for law enforcement and the message that he brought to everybody caused me to want to take part and to honor him today." Inside the church, Joey’s father placed his police hat on his casket before the service began. The priest leading the funeral reminded that in a time when officers don’t always receive appreciation, Joey’s admiration for them was a reminder of why they serve.
The police procession stretched for miles, with officers from across four states coming to pay tribute. Many of them represented departments whose patches Joey had collected. Despite the heartbreak of losing their son, Joey’s family committed that his fight would not be forgotten. They turned their grief into action, forming a foundation named The Joey Fabus Childhood Cancer Foundation, dedicated to funding research for DIPG. His mother said, "Our hope with the foundation is that it brings awareness to DIPG."