The Alton Police Department gathered outside a mural of Brandon Alvarez over the weekend to honor his memory.

Alvarez was 9 years old when he died of cancer in 2019. His family said he always dreamed of being a police officer.

Alton police swore him in as honorary police captain before he died.

"It’s something very special that we do every year for the Alvarez family to support them because Captain Alvarez was part of this community and the department as one of our sworn officers," Alton police Sgt. Leonardo Tijerina said. “We are able to continue this memory every year with them. It's something that we appreciate and that allows us to be part of their family too.”

The mural was made in 2022, right in front of the Alton Police Department.