7-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Becomes Vegas Police Officer

A 7-year-old who spent half her life fighting cancer just had the best day ever, catching criminals and flying over Las Vegas in a police helicopter.

Emma Soto put on her pink mirrored sunglasses, strapped on her duty belt, and became the newest officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Her mission? Track down the notorious "Sprinkles Bandit," a serial doughnut robber on the loose.

Emma was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3. Her father Max admits there were times he thought she might not make it.

Four years later, she's cancer-free, training in jiujitsu, and still dreams of becoming a real police officer someday. "It's a great job because I want to save people and catch robbers," Emma said.

Make-a-Wish Nevada made "Officer Soto's" dream happen for their milestone 3,000th wish in the state. Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill and his team rolled out the red carpet at their training facility.

They outfitted Emma with a full uniform, taught her how to restrain suspects, and let her practice radio calls using the call sign "Moana-1." She even got to handcuff her own dad.

The highlight came when Emma spotted the Sprinkles Bandit trying to eat the evidence in a silver sedan. After a briefing and some detective work through the simulated village, she successfully apprehended the suspect.

"Half her life is fighting cancer," Sheriff McMahill told Emma as she stood on a box to meet him eye-to-eye. "Think about what kind of courage that takes."

Sunny's Take

This story echoes Make-a-Wish's very first granted wish back in 1980, when a 7-year-old leukemia patient in Arizona also became an honorary police officer. The circle of hope continues 46 years later.

Scott Rosenzweig, Make-a-Wish Nevada's CEO, says studies prove these wishes do more than create joy. Children who receive their wishes stick to treatment plans better, need less medication, and recover faster from the surge of hope.

Emma's father Max rode along in the helicopter beside his daughter. "She is probably the strongest person that I know," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Make-a-Wish Nevada granted 180 wishes for local children and hosted 80 kids from out of state last year. They're not the "last wish" many assume, Rosenzweig explains, but a "lasting wish" that changes lives forever.

Officer Soto proved she has what it takes, and Vegas is already a safer place.