The Buffalo Police Department is welcoming its newest and youngest member.

Meet D'Angelo Matthews. He was deputized as a Junior Deputy Buffalo Police Officer Friday.

The 13-year-old is batting cancer at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital. He took the pledge from his hospital bed.

D'Angelo is reaching his dream to become a police officer but the department says they can also learn from him.

"First of all, your resilience, your courage, and your strength displayed,” said BPD Lt. Tommy Champion. “We couldn't think of better characteristics to legitimize what we want to stand for all officers, and want to show what officers stand for, every single day."

D'Angelo is an 8th grader at Buffalo Public School 90. His uncle is a Buffalo police captain.