William Bunn, the Raleigh Police Department’s first honorary officer, passed away peacefully at his home on July 1 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was eight years old. William is survived by his parents, Mark and Amy Bunn, and his younger sister, Alyssa; his paternal grandmother, Juanita Bunn; his maternal grandparents, Richard and Carole Palmer; his aunt and uncle, Chandra and Eugene Bunn, cousins Derrick, Spencer, and Allison Bunn; his aunt and uncle, Lisa and Paul Montanaro, cousins Paul and Anthony Montanaro; his aunt and uncle, Mimi and Kent Hardin, and cousin Ava Porter. William is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Frederick Eugene Bunn, Sr.

William was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops from nerve tissue, in December 2007. He persevered tenaciously through intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, two stem-cell transplants, and multiple surgeries. In May 2009, William’s doctors declared him to be cancer-free, and he spent nearly a year in remission before it was determined in early February that cancer had returned.

At a ceremony held at North Haven Church on June 11, Chief of Police Harry Dolan presented William with a Chief’s Citation praising his courage and strength of character and officially declaring him to be an honorary Raleigh Police officer. Chief Dolan also gave William his own RPD badge, which was pinned on his uniform by his mother. On June 23, William visited the N.C. Legislative Building, where a standing ovation by members of the state House of Representatives applauded his bravery and strength and where he was awarded honorary membership in the state Senate, the first time in memory that the Senate has bestowed such an honor.

William recently completed the first grade at Douglas Elementary School, and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, swimming, playing basketball, and camping at the lake with his parents, younger sister, and many beloved family members and friends.

William will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know him for his cheerful nature and for the heroism and dignity he displayed in the face of extreme adversity. The Raleigh Police Department will forever cherish the honor of having him among its ranks.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 4301 Louisburg Road in Raleigh. Funeral services will be held at New Hope Baptist Church on Saturday, July 3 at 11 a.m. After the service, William will be laid to rest at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and neuroblastoma research.