CRYSTAL, Minn. (WCCO) – At one Minnesota police department, compassion is key. When one of their newest recruits learned she had Stage 3 breast cancer, everyone rallied around her, donating 1,000 hours of leave.
Following her breast cancer diagnosis, Officer Daniela Romo with the Crystal Police Department says she was disappointed. A career social worker, she’d just realized her new dream of becoming a police officer.
“I think that was the first reaction,” she said. “Dang it. Not now.”
Now, instead of fighting crime, Romo would be fighting cancer. She got the call about her diagnosis while at work.
“All of the things that are flashing before your eyes right now became very apparent as she and I were sitting together,” Police Deputy Chief Brian Hubbard said.
Since then, Romo’s new co-workers have banded together, swapping to new pink badges to show their support.
“So, it’s authorized for everybody to wear as they would like to until she comes back and says, ‘I’m cancer free,’” Hubbard said. “She’s doing the fight. If we can help make that fight easier, more palatable, more encouraging for her, then I think we are obligated to do that.”
Romo was overcome with emotion when she saw the badges. Her co-workers also donated 1,000 hours of leave time, so she can stay home and heal.
“Just the fact they really stood by me, it means the world. It really helped me keep going in some dark days, and I just want to say thank you to them. I always call them my family in blue,” Romo said.
The department is selling the pink police badges for $10. All proceeds will go to help pay Romo’s medical expenses.
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