By: Susanna Marking, FPS Chief of Public Affairs
The Federal Protective Service (FPS) field office in New Jersey helped a little boy’s dream of becoming a federal agent come true.
Three-year-old Trent Powers has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) – a rare and fatal disease that causes progressive weakness and ultimately affects the heart and lungs. The average lifespan of a child suffering from this disease is mid-to-late 20s. However, despite the physical limitations the disease will bring, Trent continues to dream big!
With the U.S. Postal Inspection Service leading the effort, more than 12 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies from New Jersey and New York came together for a “Fed for a Day” ceremony to grant Trent his wish of becoming a federal law enforcement officer. The ceremony was held on April 28 at the Martin Luther King Courthouse in Newark, New Jersey. Trent arrived in a motorcade – led by an FPS motorcycle escort. Trent was honored with badges, pins, credentials, and plaques from all the participating law enforcement agencies.
FPS presented Trent with a certificate from Regional Director Anthony Levey and named him an honorary FPS special agent. Trent also received a rare challenge coin from FPS Director Eric Patterson, a special agent lapel pin, an FPS badge in Lucite with Trent’s name engraved, and an FPS baseball hat, which Trent chose to wear throughout the entire event.
Trent’s mother, Kimberly Powers, made opening remarks and said it’s important that the public raise awareness of DMD. She also expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from the various law enforcement agencies.
“When FPS was approached to participate in this event, everyone without hesitation wanted to make Trent’s day super special. The smiles from the family -- and especially Trent – were all it took to touch our hearts,” said Region 2 Area Commander Alan Kirsch who coordinated FPS’ participation in the event. “We hope the time Trent spent with us will be as memorable as the time we spent with him.”
About ten employees from FPS Region 2 participated in the event along with explosive detection canine, “K9 Vee.” Participating members of the FPS team included Alan Kirsch, Larry Shankle, Lowery Ware, Eduardo Miranda, Isaac Wright, Mark Jedra, Luis G. Garcia, Stephen Anest, and Melissa Caballero.
Other participating federal agencies included the U.S. Postal Police, Marshals Service, Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.