Boy with cerebral palsy becomes Chicago police officer for a day

CHICAGO (WPVI) -- Chicago police put in a lot of hours and training to earn their badge, but Angelo Butler got to skip that and become an officer for a day.

It all began with a grandmother's desire to help her grandson get a tour of a police station. When it was all over, she got that and whole lot more and her grandson had a lifelong wish come true.

Angelo, 13, joined the force of the 16th Police District in Jefferson Park on Wednesday. It was a proud moment for the Butler family and for his brothers and sisters in blue.

After Angelo got his badge and uniform, it was time to go to work patrolling the streets of Chicago, so he headed to Merrimac Park for his outdoor roll call.

Angelo has cerebral palsy and his grandmother says ever since he was little, all he ever wanted to be was a police officer.

Perhaps he was trying to follow in her footsteps - she is a retired sergeant at arms at City Hall, so this ceremony has special meaning.

"He got the royal treatment and I couldn't be more grateful, it's just overwhelming," said Christina Butler, grandmother.

Cmdr. Roger Bay says he recognized Angelo's smile when he was sworn in because he had the same sense of excitement when he started on the force. Angelo's new partners say they were impressed by his knowledge of police procedures.