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Camila with Police Chiefs David Pegg (l.) of Maywood & Bryan Gurney, of Ramsey, president of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association
It began with a bit of a surprise after a patrol car arrived at her house at 8:30 this morning and took Camila to Maywood police headquarters.
There, officers gave her a basket with various gift cards — and an iPod Touch.
Her parents received a dinner certificate, courtesy of the Oak Ale House in Maywood.
After a swearing-in ceremony, a tour and some photo ops, Chief Pegg personally brought her to the Justice Center in Hackensack.
Events included a weapons demonstration by Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino’s department.
Camila with Maywood Police Chief David Pegg
Camila had her ovaries removed at the age of 9 due to Dysgerinoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks germ cells. It returned a year later to her spine and kidneys and took months to fight off.
Now she is closely monitored — every few weeks, in fact, as this type of cancer is known to come back.
So far, she is cancer free.
Still, she admitted to me the other day that each appointment is scary, not knowing what the results will be.
Camila is an extremely strong young lady with such a positive attitude. Many adults could learn a thing or two from her.
She was absolutely glowing when her dad brought her in for me to tell her she was picked — so much so, that I had to hold back tears.
Maywood’s TWO chiefs (All photos by DIANE MORRELL for CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM)
Yet there she was, ecstatic about being chosen.
“She has been talking about this non-stop” since finding out, her mother, Emmy said.
Joining us Friday was her brother, 10-year-old Nicolas, who is just as thrilled for her.
The sheriff and the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association teamed up with 17 local law enforcement agencies and their towns to make this a day to remember for several youngsters 5 through 13 who are afflicted with some type of illness.
A motorcade took the group to Lodi Memorial Park for lunch and a variety of demonstrations by K-9 units, the mounted squad and members of other specialty teams, such as the Special Operations Group (left).
There was a Presentation of Arms ceremony featuring the Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County and the awarding of plaques — with the youngsters’ photos on them — to each of the young “chiefs.”
Individual and group photos were taken.
With her mom at the ceremony
So many people attack the police without ever really knowing all they do. If only they could see the mile-wide smiles, which lasted all day.
In fact, Camila missed her class field trip today in order to participate in the “Chief For a Day” program.
And from the looks of things, you could tell she wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
The author, Diane Morrell, at left with Camila, is Maywood Police Chief David Pegg’s administrative assistant. Besides the feelings she has for Camila and the brave girl’s courage, Diane has a personal stake: Her mom has been battling cancer the past eight years. “I’ll do anything to make Camila happy and carefree, even if just for a few hours,” Diane said, before adding special THANK YOUs to Bergen County Sheriff’s Lt. John Calabrese and Officer Aimee Mehnert, as well as the Maywood officers.
ALSO SEE: VIDEO: Sean Ender lived out a dream. As “Chief for a Day,” he was picked up by Maywood Police Chief Randy Ciocco and given an official police escort to Hackensack, where he joined other youngsters who, like him, suffer from chronic illnesses. WATCH HERE (be sure sure to click HD):
Bergen County Sheriff’s Office
East Rutherford Police Department
Edgewater Police Department
Elmwood Park Police Department
Englewood Cliffs Police Department
Garfield Police Department
Hasbrouck Heights Police Department
Hackensack Police Department
Lodi Police Department
Maywood Police Department
Park Ridge Police Department
Ramsey Police Department
Saddle Brook Police Department
Teaneck Police Department
Wallington Police Department
Washington Township Police Department
Woodcliff Lake Police Department
Westwood Police Department
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