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Local boy battling cancer spends day as DHS police chief
Riverside County Apr 11, 2024
DHS Police Chief Jim Henson has his head shaved in solidarity with 11-year-old Frankie Dorame's battle with cancer. | Photo courtesy of the city of Desert Hot Springs/Facebook
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A Desert Hot Springs boy recently diagnosed with a brain tumor got to be chief for a day at the DHS Police Department, where officers shaved their heads in a show of support.
Frankie Dorame is an 11-year-old 6th grader at Painted Hills Middle School who loves baseball and has been active in the local Little League since age 4, according to a city social media post.
On Nov. 28 Frankie diagnosed with brain cancer, and he has bravely completed 12 rounds of chemotherapy, “demonstrating the heart of a champion,” city officials said.
“His visit to our police department, where he was named Police Chief for a day by Chief Jim Henson, was not just ceremonial,” officials said in the posts. “It was an empowering experience that brought us all closer to Frankie’s indomitable spirit. His first decree? A bold statement of unity — to have us shave our heads in solidarity, a testament to his strength during chemotherapy.”
Henson, Deputy Chief Steven Shaw, several police and animal care and control officers and city staffers joined in to proudly have their heads shaved at Downtown DHS Barbers, officials said. Mayor Pro Tem Jan Pye was also on hand to show support for Frankie.
More than just symbolic gestures, Frankie’s day as chief featured a tour the police department, where he got to see and experience “the intricacies of law enforcement,” officials said. He learned about the department’s crime-fighting strategies and its use of drones, “gaining insights into the vital role of technology in maintaining peace and security.”
The event “was a reminder for us all of the resilience and hope embodied by this remarkable young man. As Frankie bravely battles his brain tumor, his family invites us to keep him in our prayers.
“Let’s continue to support Frankie, a true embodiment of bravery and inspiration within our community,” officials said.
Video of the event at the police station and barber shop is available at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=268990209611464.
