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Beloved Lubbock Police Department Sergeant Kelley Pirkle was diagnosed with lung cancer, and urgent treatment is needed.

Sgt. Pirkle was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Non-Small Cell Adenocarcinoma, which "has spread to multiple areas of his body, including his brain and spine," according to the GoFundMe page.

Sgt. Pirkle is a highly respected leader who works diligently in support of his team and our Lubbock community. His son, Kolton, works with him on the SWAT team as well.

Their blog shared that this serious diagnosis has taken everyone by surprise:

This diagnosis has taken everyone by surprise. Kelley has never smoked a cigarette in his life and is very well known for having a healthy and physically active lifestyle. At 54 years old, he is in tremendous physical shape! Just this past year, Kelley competed in two very physically demanding SWAT competitions.

Kelley is a Sergeant with the Lubbock Police Department, where he has served for 21 years. 18 of those have been spent as a SWAT operator. His son Kolton is also part of the SWAT team. They train and compete together! Kelley would never boast about himself, but he is highly respected and appreciated throughout the entire Texas SWAT community. He is the kind of leader that goes above and beyond to make sure that his team succeeds on and off the field. He spends countless hours giving advice and helping train anyone who asks. He has truly made a difference in the Lubbock Police Department!

Sgt. Pirkle is facing urgently needed treatments that may take him to Houston. You can follow this link to the GoFundMe page and make a contribution to help him and his family in his critical fight.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Pirkle, as well as his family and friends, during this difficult time.

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