Boy with cancer becomes honorary police officer

Boynton Beach Police Department swears in Anthony Bentley as junior officer

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Boynton Beach Police Chief Jeffrey Katz had a very special officer at work Wednesday -- 3-year-old Anthony Bentley.

Katz swore in Bentley as an honorary junior officer. The West Palm Beach boy has spent the last few months of his life battling the ultimate bad guy -- cancer.

"He is a fighter," said Jason Bentley, the boy's father. "There is time when he feels some pain that I wish I could bear it for him."

Boynton Beach officers heard of his struggle from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and knew this hero deserved a day on the force. His parents said he loves everything about police work. The honor rendered him speechless.

"He is not smiling much today but he will talk about it when he gets home," said his mother, Shem Dixon.

The boy met some of the department's K9s, saw a SWAT team demonstration, and went on a ride-along with an officer.