PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Pittsfield Police’s Honorary Officer Shavez Forte died Monday morning, according to the department.
Forte was diagnosed with stage four malignant neoplasm before Pittsfield Police helped him fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer.
On November 15, Pittsfield Police Officer Darren Derby picked up then five-year-old Forte from school and brought him to the station. Soon after, Forte was holding up his right hand to swear in as honorary police officer, equipped with his own police officer cap and jacket.
Forte even signed a document that made it official. It read:
“I, Shavez Forte, do solemnly swear that I will perform and discharge my duties as an Honorary Pittsfield Police Officer fairly and impartially, with honor and integrity; that I will assist the Pittsfield Police Department to uphold the Constitution and Laws of the United States and Commonwealth; that I will adhere to the Policies and Rules of the Pittsfield Police Department; that I will study hard in school and be helpful at home; and that I will be brave and strong; all of these things, I will do to the best of my ability.”
Forte’s time as an honorary police officer included typical police activities like going on patrol with his partner Officer Derby– oh, and, being assigned his very own police cruiser.
Pittsfield Police posted a solemn farewell to Forte in a Facebook post Monday morning. They said Forte, who had just celebrated a birthday this month, had lost his battle with cancer.
“Officer Forte, thank you for your service, sir, we will take it from here,” Pittsfield Police Department wrote.
