Medford teen sworn in as Suffolk detective for a day
Posted: Updated:A 16-year-old cancer patient from Medford was sworn in as detective for the day on Tuesday.
Sean Patrick Dixon is battling a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. He was first diagnosed two years ago. Doctors were forced to amputate one of his legs at the hip.
Still, he hopes to one day serve alongside the men and women in blue.
"To help people and stop some of the bad things that go on in the world like crimes and gangs," says Dixon.
Suffolk police gave the teen his badge during a swearing-in ceremony.
"You're going straight from civilian to detective, which is pretty impressive," says Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini. "I went from prosecutor to commissioner, so I don't know who beat each other out there."
Dixon got some hands-on experience with tactical robots, interacting with the trained K-9 unit and learning to dust for fingerprints. It was capped off by a walk-out ceremony usually reserved for high-ranking officers when they retire.
Dixon said the day reinforced his dream to be on the force, which included receiving a proclamation from the commissioner.
"It's pretty awesome. I got to see some pretty great things," he said.
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Teen rescued from burning SUV, charged with DWI
Teen rescued from burning SUV, charged with DWI
Police say Mercedes Ramos was driving drunk when she crashed into the back of a Mack truck on Sunrise Highway near Exit 53 this morning.
Police say Mercedes Ramos was driving drunk when she crashed into the back of a Mack truck on Sunrise Highway near Exit 53 this morning.
Police say Mercedes Ramos was driving drunk when she crashed into the back of a Mack truck on Sunrise Highway near Exit 53 this morning.
Police say Mercedes Ramos was driving drunk when she crashed into the back of a Mack truck on Sunrise Highway near Exit 53 this morning.
Police: Woodmere man charged in road rage incident
Police: Woodmere man charged in road rage incident
In video, you can see a man taking a wooden bat to another car on the New York State Thruway in the Town of Ramapo.
In video, you can see a man taking a wooden bat to another car on the New York State Thruway in the Town of Ramapo.
In video, you can see a man taking a wooden bat to another car on the New York State Thruway in the Town of Ramapo.
In video, you can see a man taking a wooden bat to another car on the New York State Thruway in the Town of Ramapo.Police: 3 injured after car slams into Brentwood stores
Police: 3 injured after car slams into Brentwood stores
According to police, the 74-year-old was trying to back out of a parking spot when he drove forward.
According to police, the 74-year-old was trying to back out of a parking spot when he drove forward.
According to police, the 74-year-old was trying to back out of a parking spot when he drove forward.
According to police, the 74-year-old was trying to back out of a parking spot when he drove forward.
Students walk out to mark 19 years since Columbine shooting
Students walk out to mark 19 years since Columbine shooting
Some students across Long Island are marking 19 years since the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado with a walkout to demand action on gun control.
Some students across Long Island are marking 19 years since the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado with a walkout to demand action on gun control.
Glen Cove FD seeks volunteers amid enrollment lull
Glen Cove FD seeks volunteers amid enrollment lull
Officials at the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department say enrollment is at an all-time low.
Officials at the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department say enrollment is at an all-time low.
Business Briefs: Facebook, Kardashians, Taylor Swift
Business Briefs: Facebook, Kardashians, Taylor Swift
Another update in the ongoing Facebook data scandal - an auditing firm looked over Facebook’s privacy practices last year and determined that everything looked OK.
Another update in the ongoing Facebook data scandal - an auditing firm looked over Facebook’s privacy practices last year and determined that everything looked OK.
Sen. Schumer announces plan to decriminalize marijuana
Sen. Schumer announces plan to decriminalize marijuana
The top Senate Democrat says he now supports making pot legal under federal law.
The top Senate Democrat says he now supports making pot legal under federal law.
Public hearing on tip credit elimination plan held in Farmingdale
Public hearing on tip credit elimination plan held in Farmingdale
The first of seven public hearings is being held Friday by the state Department of Labor to discuss Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to eliminate tip credits.
The first of seven public hearings is being held Friday by the state Department of Labor to discuss Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to eliminate tip credits.
The first of seven public hearings is being held Friday by the state Department of Labor to discuss Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to eliminate tip credits.
What's Going On: April 21-22
What's Going On: April 21-22
Here are some fun things going on around Long Island this weekend.
Here are some fun things going on around Long Island this weekend.
$75K offered for information on MS-13 threat against police
$75K offered for information on MS-13 threat against police
The MS-13 threat against police officers from a credible informant has prompted authorities to offer a $75,000 reward for anyone that has information that leads to an arrest.
The MS-13 threat against police officers from a credible informant has prompted authorities to offer a $75,000 reward for anyone that has information that leads to an arrest.
The MS-13 threat against police officers from a credible informant has prompted authorities to offer a $75,000 reward for anyone that has information that leads to an arrest.
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Students organize walkouts over gun violence
Students organize walkouts over gun violence
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Dog Day Fridays for April 20
Dog Day Fridays for April 20
Lizzy is a Retriever, Shepherd mix. She is only 2 years old and has all the makings of a great family dog. She appears to be good with children and other dogs.
Pet Peeves, an organization that donates and helps support shelters, and Last Hope Animal Rescue visited the News 12 Long Island studios with three adorable dogs this week.
Pet Peeves, an organization that donates and helps support shelters, and Last Hope Animal Rescue visited the News 12 Long Island studios with three adorable dogs this week.
Fire destroys businesses in Babylon Village
Fire destroys businesses in Babylon Village
Fire officials believe the fire began at Empire Nutrition, which was slated to have its grand opening Thursday.
Fire officials believe the fire began at Empire Nutrition, which was slated to have its grand opening Thursday.
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Photos: #LIPlanetPic
Photos: #LIPlanetPic
April 22 is Earth Day! Every year around the world, Earth Day organizers promote green campaigns to save the Earth.
April 22 is Earth Day! Every year around the world, Earth Day organizers promote green campaigns to save the Earth. News 12 Long Island wants to know what you're doing to help the planet!
April 22 is Earth Day! Every year around the world, Earth Day organizers promote green campaigns to save the Earth. News 12 Long Island wants to know what you're doing to help the planet!
2018 Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill lineup
2018 Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill lineup
LIT will perform as part of the Loudwire's Gen-X Summer on Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m. Other performers include Buckcherry, POD and Alien Ant Farm.
A look at the performers coming to the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill in 2018.
A look at the performers coming to the Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill in 2018.
Dog Day Fridays for April 13
Dog Day Fridays for April 13
Fendi was rescued through the shelter's community outreach program. She's great with dogs, kids, housebroken, outgoing and social. She is 2 years old and spayed.
Fendi was rescued through the shelter's community outreach program. She's great with dogs, kids, housebroken, outgoing and social. She is 2 years old and spayed.
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue & Adoption. The shelter is located at 646 Route 112 in Patchogue. Their phone number is (631) 627-3665.
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue & Adoption. The shelter is located at 646 Route 112 in Patchogue. Their phone number is (631) 627-3665.
Guide: Long Island Public Golf Courses
Guide: Long Island Public Golf Courses
As the weather warms up, it's time to get your golf bag out and tee off. Nassau and Suffolk counties offer a wide variety of courses to practice your game at.
As the weather warms up, it's time to get your golf bag out and tee off. Nassau and Suffolk counties offer a wide variety of courses to practice your game at.
Guide: Amusement Parks
Guide: Amusement Parks
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.