Wheelchair-bound teen spends a day as a police officer

WESLACO — Getting a shooting lesson from Weslaco police officers Monday after being sworn in as one of them was more than just fun for teenager Regino Gonzalez.

“It made me think I want to be a cop, because I thought I had no chance,” Gonzalez said.

The 16-year-old has wanted to be a police officer since he was 5, but assumed those dreams were over when a cancer rendered him wheelchair-bound. Gonzalez said he was diagnosed two years ago with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer.

“I was just standing and my femur popped,” he said, remembering the collapse that led to the diagnosis.

It was too late then to save his leg, but his father still wanted him to have his chance to taste law enforcement and contacted the Weslaco police.

“We just wanted to be part of one parent helping his child’s dream come true,” said department spokesman J.P. Rodriguez.

Gonzalez was sworn in as an honorary officer Monday and given a certificate, uniform and badge. Officers gave him a tour of the department, let him try his hand with a .40-caliber Glock at the firing range, and took him to ride along with them for the afternoon on patrol.

They also recounted stories of a police officer in Florida who, after losing his leg, remained on the force and had been seen running down suspects with a prosthetic leg.

“Absolutely they can still continue their dream of being a police officer,” Rodriguez said.

Interim Chief Michael Kelley said he was glad the department had invited Gonzalez in for the afternoon.

“We figured that we can take time out from the day to make somebody’s day a little better,” he said. “I’ve been here 31 years and I don’t think we’ve ever done anything like this.”

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Elizabeth Findell covers Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at efindell@themonitor.com and (956) 683-4428.

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