ONTARIO — Santa doesn’t frequent SWAT vehicles.
But to grant the Christmas wish of a 3-year-old honorary Ontario police officer, he was escorted to the Ontario Police Department in style.
The Ontario Police Department learned about Allen Sexton through its toy drive program. He and his siblings each received stockings and toys from their wishlists Friday, and Allen was sworn in as OPD’s first honorary officer.
“This is a very special night for us, we’ve never had an honorary officer before, and Allen is clearly a warrior,” Police Chief Tommy Hill said.
Allen was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor when he was 10 months old. He has undergone multiple chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“The doctors told us he would probably live five years after his diagnosis,” said his mother Cheyenne Sexton.
“He was diagnosed when he was 10 months old. We went to Nationwide Children’s and they performed an emergency surgery — they told us they didn’t think he would survive the brain surgery, but he did.”
Officer Amanda Keene and the Ontario Police Department wanted to make the Sextons’ Christmas extra special.
Allen, his mom, dad and two older siblings received a police escort before the boy was sworn in on Friday evening. The family has lived in Ontario for about three years.
Allen also received an Ontario police uniform and badge, a toy ride-on car, toy handcuffs and additional gifts from the Richland County Sheriff, as well as police officers from Ontario, Mansfield, Shelby and Lexington.
Mansfield honorary officer Allysson Nead, who is 7 years old, also brought Allen a stuffed animal K-9 and a sticker.
Supporters can aid family with prayers, GoFundMe
Cheynne used to be a dispatcher for the county sheriff’s office and now works as a medical assistant.
She said Allen liked the flashing lights on the police cars in the family’s escort on the way to the police department.
“Allen is mostly deaf, so he can’t hear the sirens, but he loves the lights,” she said. “He really loved the K-9 unit when I was a dispatcher. He loves meeting new people, so this has been a real treat for him.”
The 3-year-old also passed out water bottles and collected plates from the pizza party following his swearing-in and unwrapping gifts.
“Allen loves helping people,” his mother said. “He is always happy despite everything he’s gone through. He loves his siblings and is a great kid.”
Allen also enjoyed a tour of the police department on Friday, complete with a game of tag and a tickle fight with his siblings — Aden, 8 and Everlynn, 5.
Sexton set up a GoFundMe for Allen at the encouragement of Keene. Any funds raised will help the family pay for gas to doctors appointments, and medications and supplies not covered by insurance.
Cheyenne also said people can help by praying for Allen and their family.
“This has been such a joyful day,” Cheyenne said. “Allen loves people and the officers have made this such a special Christmas for us.”
