Adam Duvernay

The News Journal

A little boy recently dubbed an honorary police officer with the New Castle County Police Department died recently and will be remembered with services early in the week.

Five-year-old Angel de Jesus Zamora died Wednesday after a short struggle with brain cancer. In August, Zamora lived his dream as a New Castle County police officer at Carousel Park and Equestrian Center in Pike Creek after he was made an honorary captain for the day with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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"Angel was cherished by his family. He brightened everyone’s day with his perfect smile. Angel touched many lives throughout his life. His amazing strength during his battle with cancer was a testimony to many. Angel was a big fan of muscle cars. This wonderful boy, a gift from Heaven, will be truly missed but never forgotten by all who knew and loved him," his obituary read.

On his day as a New Castle County captain, Zamora met police dogs and horses, and the support local law enforcement offered helped give a full day despite the energy-sapping cancer. That day came complete with a matching brown uniform and pins like his fellow officers wear, and he was escorted from his home in Newport to the park and police training facilities where he was met with cheers from gathered crowds.

His mother, Sandra Gutierrez, said that day when the diagnosis was made on Feb. 29, doctors warned there may not be a lot of time.

"They say that kids with this type of cancer don't have over a year," she said in August. "So we're going to make every day special for him."

Angel is survived by his parents; his sisters, Yareli and Anita; his grandmothers, Celia Romero and Josefina Curiel; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, the obituary reads.

Family and friends will gather for a visitation Monday followed by a service in celebration of his life. He'll be buried the next day in New Jersey.

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 324-2785 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com.