Maryland first responders celebrate boy battling cancer, make him honorary police chief

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (7News) — What began as a simple conversation about a young boy’s admiration for police officers grew into an extraordinary show of support from law enforcement and first responders across the region.

Ten-year-old Joey Stanger, who is battling bone cancer, was honored Wednesday with a daylong celebration organized by the Cheverly Police Department and joined by numerous agencies from across Maryland.

The event started with a motorcade from Joey’s home on Kent Island to Upper Marlboro. Police motorcycles escorted a convoy of law enforcement vehicles, with Joey riding in the front seat of a police SUV driven by Cheverly Police Lt. Bill Gleason, who organized the event.

When the motorcade arrived in Upper Marlboro, Joey was greeted by armored vehicles, a fire truck, mounted officers and a Prince George’s County Police Department helicopter. The helicopter’s landing created a gust of wind that blew Joey’s hat off, drawing a smile from the young cancer patient.

Several law enforcement and first responder agencies gather to recognize Joey Stanger, 10, during a daylong celebration in Upper Marlboro, Md. on Sept. 2, 2026. (Brad Bell/7News)

Throughout the ceremony, representatives from several agencies presented Joey with gifts and honors.

Maryland State Police (MSP) Superintendent Col. Michael Jackson presented Joey with a badge and welcomed him into the law enforcement family.

“Welcome to our family,” Jackson told him.

Several law enforcement and first responder agencies gather to recognize Joey Stanger, 10, during a daylong celebration in Upper Marlboro, Md. on Sept. 2, 2026. (Brad Bell/7News)

Members of the Prince George’s County Police SWAT team presented Joey with a unit emblem and praised the qualities it represents.

“They represent courage, hard work, determination, sacrifice, mental and physical strength, and a willingness to keep going when things get difficult,” one SWAT officer said.

The highest honor of the day came when Cheverly’s Mayor named Joey the town’s honorary police chief.

“We want to thank you for being an inspiration to us all,” the mayor said during the presentation.

Several law enforcement and first responder agencies gather to recognize Joey Stanger, 10, during a daylong celebration in Upper Marlboro, Md. on Sept. 2, 2026. (Brad Bell/7News)

Joey’s mother, Leigh Stanger, said the family has faced difficult challenges during his cancer fight and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

“It’s really hard and really lonely for him sometimes,” she said. “Just knowing there’s so many people behind him is really going to give him some strength during those hard times.”

Joey said one of his favorite gifts was a duty belt presented by Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader. More than anything, he said, he enjoyed spending time with the officers and first responders he looks up to.

“Because they’re just awesome,” Joey said. “They put crime people in jail. They put all the bad people in jail. They protect us, protect the state and the country and everything.”

Asked how the day made him feel, Joey smiled.

“I’m feeling a lot of love from all these guys,” he said.