A Copiague teen was given the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a first responder for a day.

Dawn Buffolino tells News 12 being a police officer is her son’s dream.

"It was one of his first words out of his mouth since he was little, that's all he wanted to be, a cop,” says Buffolino.

Ryan Buffolino, 16, was sworn in as a Suffolk County Police officer for the day.

“He stops them in the street. He says hi to them, we go out...he sees them…he runs up to them, goes in their cars. He just loves and appreciates our police,” says the Copiague mother.

The teenager even got to work for emergency services.

"To see him in in that uniform today…I'm sorry, I'm going to cry,” says Buffolino. “It's just amazing. I didn't think it was ever going to happen to him.”

Suffolk County Police Department acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron says his favorite thing about his job is helping people.

A group known as Project Thank-A-Cop also assisted in coordinating the special day for Ryan.

Andy Fox of project Thank A Cop says "It really means a lot to us to know that we are actually out there making a difference…making people happy.”

Buffolino says the smile on her son’s face is enough to last her an entire lifetime.