She said Officer Smith's visit months ago had a big impact on Cody.



"It's like he glued to him and he just wanted to be Mr. Smith, and now it's Uncle Smith instead of Mr. Smith," Smelley explained.



And Cody has an impact on Smith, as well.



"He always has a smile on his face. You'd never know he's sick," Smith said.



"For him to have that will to keep going, I mean, the problems that I have, it makes them seem small," he added.



That's why it made sense for the department's newest officer to help promote Smith to sergeant.



"I had no idea that was going to happen. I'm happy the way it happened because I was there for him, and it turned out he was there for me," Smith explained.



At the meeting, Cody also received gifts from the Gladewater High School cheer, drill, and football teams.