“A dream come true,” said Janelle Daly, as she watched her son, Kaleb, slip into his personalized sheriff’s shirt filled with encouraging messages.

The 8-year-old stood tall with his right hand raised as he was “deputized” by Lehigh County Sheriff Joseph Hanna.

It would have been an incredibly special day for any youngster, but this experience was especially poignant for Kaleb and his mom.

Diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy, a genetic disorder, just months ago, Kaleb Holder, a third grader at Kratzer Elementary School, was “sworn in” as the newest sheriff’s deputy.

Kaleb then spent the entire day of March 4 with his heroes by his side.

“Kaleb doesn’t like superheroes but he really takes a liking to law enforcement officials,” said family friend Deputy Sheriff Richmond Penn. “He gets excited every time he sees me wearing my uniform.”

Penn told Sheriff Hanna about Kaleb, and it did not take long before preparations were put in place for the youngster’s big day.

The sheriff’s office has previously recognized children, but is hoping to expand its “Sheriff for a Day” program.

“The men and women of the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office want to exemplify the spirit of generosity, compassion and community outreach,” said Hanna before Kaleb arrived. “Our mission today is to make this a memorable occasion for Kaleb and help put a smile on his face.”

Upon his arrival, however, it became clear Kaleb would be their inspiration for the day, keeping everyone he encountered smiling.

Shortly after suffering a severe seizure last December, Kaleb was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy.

Also known as ALD, adrenoleukodystrophy is a deadly genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 18,000 people.

Most common in males, the brain disorder affects myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers.

Symptoms initially may present as behavioral problems and difficulty concentrating.

They gradually progress to blindness, seizures, loss of muscle control, dementia, permanent disability and death.

Janelle Daly said about 2 years ago Kaleb was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

What no one realized was his behavioral issues were actually the first presenting symptoms of ALD.

An X-linked metabolic disorder, women are the carriers of ALD and pass the gene on to their child.

“Sometimes I feel like it is my fault,” said Daly, through her tears.

“At the end of the day, though, I know it’s not my fault.”

His health and cognitive functioning quickly deteriorating, Daly said Kaleb’s life expectancy is about a year.

He has about 3 months before he loses all of his abilities.

“I have met other parents and it’s horrific,” she said,

Daly said the only way to fight the disease is early detection.

She is determined to see the passage of Pennsylvania House Bill 2012, which would add the test for ALD to the newborn child screening panel.

When diagnosed as a newborn, early treatment can extend life expectancy to 20 or 25 years.

New York state began testing in 2013.

Since then, more than 40 infants have been diagnosed with some form of the disease.

Daly hopes early detection will help ensure others will not have to go through their pain.

“It’s heartbreaking,” she said. “He was so perfect. I just don’t know how I will go on without him.”

But her tears did not last long, as Kaleb soon returned with a photo ID, all set to exit the building and take his first ride in a police car.

“This is just like a dream,” said Kaleb, with a smile much bigger than the sheriff’s hat on his head.

“A dream come true,” replied his mom, also smiling as she watched him play with his sheriff’s radio. “I’m glad he gets to feel what it’s like (to be a sheriff). It means a lot he has this experience.”

When Kaleb returned, he met a judge, sat in the judge’s chair, and rapped the gavel, something his mom said he has always wanted to do.

Then it was off to Mack South Fire Department to visit with other real-life firefighting heroes; and finally some quiet time where the “newest deputy” received some presents and a $400 gift card to Toys ‘R Us from his fellow deputy friends.

“Hopefully we can help them forget for a while,” said Deputy Lena Liero as she watched Kaleb and his mom drive off in a police car. “With all the negatives that you see, it’s so nice to have some positives.”

More information on ALD can be found at stopald.org.

Kaleb’s family also has a GoFundMe page, “Kaleb’s Medical Fund,” to help with his ongoing medical expenses.