Fort Worth boy who was honorary police officer, high school basketball player, has died
A Fort Worth boy who had served as an honorary police officer, played in a high school basketball game last season and captured the hearts of those he touched died on Friday after his two-year battle with cancer.
Carter Escobar, a 9-year-old who was diagnosed in 2018 with a rare cancer called Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma passed away Friday. The family had stopped pursuing curative treatment several months ago and instead had been focusing on Carter’s quality of life.
His mother, Rachel, wrote on Facebook: “Our precious boy has left this world of pain and is healed and whole in the arms of Jesus.”
The Fort Worth Police Department wrote on social media: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Carter Escobar. He became an honorary Fort Worth police officer on February 20, 2020 and we will certainly miss him. #RIP buddy.”
Along with becoming an honorary police officer, Escobar experienced the thrill of playing high school basketball in the state. He had an all-access day with his favorite high school team, the Brewer Bears, and even played in a game on Feb. 14 against Grapevine.
“He had come to a few of my basketball camps,” Brewer coach Jason Porostovsky told the Star-Telegram at the time. “Followed his story and went to the hospital to visit him. Then his bucket list came out and he wanted to be a Brewer basketball player, so we thought we could provide him with something special.”
That moment was highlighted by a tribute video for Escobar with messages from NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Dirk Nowitzki, as well as Mavericks forward Dwight Powell.
O’Neal introduced Escobar to the crowd, saying: “He’s a shooter, he’s a slasher, he’s a worker, he can do it all. 4-foot-7 from White Settlement, Texas ... Carter Escobar!”
The Brewer basketball team posted on its Twitter, “Please pray for the family!! Our teammate and friend has left this world. What an impression he has left on all our hearts!! Fly high Carter! #CarterStrong John 16:22”
