Child battling lymphoma named honorary police chief

By Christian Hill | The Olympian • Published August 29, 2008

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Issac Davey of Lacey received VIP treatment Thursday.

The 4-year-old was one of 15 children diagnosed as having life-threatening or chronic illnesses who were named honorary chiefs or sheriffs by sponsoring Puget Sound law enforcement agencies Thursday. They were recognized during an event at the police training academy in Burien; this year is the first time the Lacey Police Department has participated in the event.

Issac and the other children were transported to the academy with a police escort. He was outfitted in a Lacey police uniform. Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpoint presented him with a certificate and his father, Erik, pinned on the badge during the "swearing-in" ceremony.

The children received gifts and watched presentations involving a police helicopter, K-9 unit, bicycle patrol and SWAT team.

"Issac had the time of his life," said Krista Davey, his mother.

Davey was 18 months old when doctors diagnosed him as having an advanced form of lymphoma. The powerful steroids the doctors prescribed made his bones hurt, and he stopped walking for a time, his mother said. At another point, he had to swallow awful-tasting medication because the sores in his digestive tract made it too painful to eat otherwise, she said.

His cancer is in remission, he is nearing the end of an intensive three-year treatment program and his prognosis is favorable, she said.

The state Criminal Justice Training Commission sponsored the event in cooperation with law enforcement agencies and local children's hospitals.

Christian Hill covers the city of Lacey and the military for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5427 or chill@theolympian.com.