There’s a new cop on the beat in Brighton, and Jose Rubio-Pavon’s dream is now a reality.
The 12-year-old with an inoperable brain tumor was sworn in in his hospice bed Wednesday by a special detail of Brighton police officers: Anna-Marie Cuney, Levy Slagle and Cpl. Monce Portillo.
“It’s been out and about in the community for a few weeks that he’s a sick young man,” said Brighton police spokesman John Bradley. “When we heard he always wanted to be a cop, then Anna-Marie Cuney, one of our resource officers, went to work to make it happen.”
The North Elementary School fifth-grader is officially a special officer and was presented an official police uniform shirt, a junior officer’s badge and a certificate naming him an official member of the force.
Bradley said that in his 15 years with the department, he couldn’t recall such a decree to such a young officer.
“I think the button that got pushed was when we heard he loved everything about law enforcement, and this was something we could do to honor him,” Bradley said.
An officer at the private ceremony said Jose “wore a giant smile as he raised his hand and took the oath of office,” according to a statement from the department.
The Jose Angel Rubio Pavon Family Fund has been set up at Valley Bank & Trust in Brighton to help Jose’s family with mounting bills. Anyone who wants to donate can also call Nena DelVillar at 303-655-2500 or Jennifer Vargas at 303-655-8800.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
