By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - When John Stump played cops and robbers as a child, he was always a cop.

John Stump, 21, of Hamilton, who has been battling cancer, is sworn in as an honorary police officer by Hamilton Police Chief Neil R. Ferdelman at the police department Monday afternoon. John's aunt, Barbara Allen, is on the left. (Steven M. Herppich photo)

The child's play turned into a lifelong dream for the 21-year-old Hamilton resident, but three years of battling cancer undermined his chances of reaching his goal.

On Monday, though, he was welcomed into the Hamilton Police Department as an honorary officer. He was sworn in by Police Chief Neil Ferdelman as what police said was the first honorary officer in department history.

He stood in the officers' training room at the Hamilton Police Department, placed his left hand on the Bible, and raised his right hand while reciting the oath of office. Then, Stump broke into a wide smile as he accepted a congratulatory handshake from Ferdelman.

"We're very proud, John, to be at your side," Ferdelman told him. Saying police wanted to help him realize his dream, the chief presented Stump with a plaque and lapel pin in the shape of a police badge. The designation doesn't carry any official powers or duties, but Ferdelman said police would keep Stump busy any time he was able to come in.

"It's amazing. I've always wanted to be associated with the Police Department in any way. That's why I volunteered so much," Stump said after the brief ceremony.

He was a graduate of the 2003 Citizen's Police Academy and a participant of Safety Town, a program to teach safety to children.

Stump has been fighting cancer since his diagnosis. The debilitating disease is centered in his abdomen, the lymph nodes in his stomach are cancerous, and tumors have taken over his lungs.

He endures weekly chemotherapy treatments and undergoes a breathing treatment at home three times daily. But Stump still hopes that doctors will find a cure.

Sarah Braden, a Jewish Hospital nurse who had cared for him, called police to discuss his dream of being an officer.

"I just heard that's what he wanted to do and thought this was the way to make it happen," Braden said.

Barb Allen stood proudly by her nephew Monday as he was sworn in. Stump has been staying with Allen and her husband, Russ, who have been helping him in his cancer battle.

"He's had his moments of sadness, but he's a fighter," she said. "He keeps my spirits up."

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