Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old from Pearland, Texas, has captured the nation’s heart with his unyielding courage in the face of terminal brain and spinal cancer. Diagnosed at age six in 2018 with anaplastic ependymoma and given just five months to live, DJ has defied the odds, enduring 13 brain surgeries and experimental treatments. However, on May 30, 2025, his father, Theodis, shared a heartbreaking update: DJ is now battling three new tumors. Amid this devastating news, country star Jelly Roll’s act of kindness has brought a moment of light, inspiring thousands and reinforcing DJ’s legacy of resilience.
DJ’s dream of becoming a police officer, inspired by his military father and a kind gesture from officers during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, has led him to be sworn in as an honorary officer by over 1,351 law enforcement agencies nationwide, setting a Guinness World Record. From the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in Texas to the New Orleans Police Department, agencies have embraced DJ, with a May 19, 2025, ceremony in WilCo marking his latest honor. His story gained national attention when President Donald Trump named him an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent during a March 4, 2025, congressional address, a moment that left DJ overwhelmed with joy.
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, connected with DJ during a Houston stop on his 2025 tour. Moved by DJ’s story, shared via Fox26 Houston, Jelly Roll invited him to a concert on May 28, 2025, and gifted him a custom leather jacket embroidered with “Honorary Officer DJ” and a signed guitar. “This kid’s strength reminds me of my own fight,” Jelly Roll said on stage, referencing his past struggles with addiction. “DJ, you’re a warrior, and this is for you to keep shining.” The gesture, captured in viral X posts, left DJ in tears and sparked an outpouring of support, with fans writing, “Jelly Roll’s heart is as big as Texas!” and “DJ’s courage and Jelly’s kindness are unstoppable.”
Despite his new tumors, DJ remains defiant, telling Fox7 News, “I’m gonna keep going until God calls me home.” His father, Theodis, shared the toll of the diagnosis, saying, “It’s rough, but DJ’s spirit keeps us strong.” The White House echoed this sentiment on X, posting, “We’re lifting up Agent DJ Daniel in prayer after his dad shared that DJ is now facing three new tumors. DJ is one of the strongest, bravest young men.” The post, dated May 30, 2025, underscored DJ’s impact, noting his 1,351 agency swear-ins.
DJ’s journey transcends his illness, spreading kindness and unity. In Berkeley, Missouri, on April 15, 2025, he swore in nine other children with cancer as honorary officers, amplifying their dreams. His story has faced challenges, including bullying after wearing his 2019 Brookshire Police uniform and political backlash from some Democrats during his Secret Service honor, but DJ remains undeterred. “If you’ve got cancer, don’t give up. Pray, believe in God, and keep the negative out,” he told KWTX.
Jelly Roll’s gift has galvanized support for DJ, with X users calling for prayers and donations to his family. As DJ faces this tougher fight, his courage, bolstered by acts like Jelly Roll’s, continues to inspire. This heartbreaking yet hopeful chapter reminds us that kindness and resilience can forge unbreakable bonds, even in the darkest times.
