Renton boy named Seattle Police “Chief for a Day”

Ino Reyes Jr., a McKnight Middle School student, was recently honored as a VIP in the Seafair Torchlight parade after his leukemia went into remission.

By Bailey Josie • September 13, 2025 8:30 am

Not every 11-year-old gets to be an “honorary police chief for a day,” and for McKnight Middle School student Inomar Reyes Jr., also known as Ino, it was an exciting moment.

“I got to see the inside of a helicopter,” Ino said. Last year, Ino was diagnosed with leukemia and had been part of a clinical trial at Seattle Children’s Hospital, which has been described as “the biggest breakthrough in childhood cancer treatment in decades.” He is currently in remission.

“We were in the children’s hospital for many days and had spent a lot of time in the hospital,” said Ino’s father, Inomar Reyes Sr., in a phone call. “Seattle Police Department contacted us and we decided to do it because it’s just amazing what Seattle Children’s and SPD does for kids that are going through hard times.”

Ino was made “chief for a day” as part of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s program, where he and his family were treated to “meaningful experiences and opportunities to celebrate his strength and courage.”

Ino, who will be 12 in November, rode as a VIP in a convertible during the July 26 Seafair Torchlight Parade and got to experience the SPD tour on Aug. 13, where Ino and his family were able to meet the SPD K9 unit, motorcycles from the traffic unit and the Quartermaster facility, and take a visit to the SPD Photo Lab, where they were treated to a family portrait. To finish off the day, Ino got to ride along on one of the SPD Harbor Unit’s boats. Ino said that his favorite part of the day was getting sworn in, going inside a real police helicopter, and then getting to see it fly off.

Along with getting to be “chief for a day,” Ino was treated to a day at a Mariners game with his family. And, being a creative kid that would make art during his time in the hospital, Ino got to spend a day with a Seattle muralist and learn some painting tips. “I’m happy and excited,” Ino said of his experiences.