Age 26 Police Officer Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer Just Weeks After Joining Force
Illnesses are often unpredictable. Cancer in particular never has good timing. It comes swiftly and silently, creeping up on its victims when they least suspect.
This is exactly what happened to Officer Shawn DePasquale of the Rollinsford Police Department in New Hampshire.
At only 26, Officer DePasquale had a bright future ahead of him. In December 2017 he graduated from the New Hampshire Police Academy, ready for life as a first responder and servant of his community.
But Shawn’s bright dreams quickly came to a halt when he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer only three weeks after graduation.
The diagnosis came as a shock to this young recruit as it would to most people his age. “I mean I’m 26…” DePasquale told WFXT Boston 25 News. “You hear you have stage 4 cancer and immediately everything just fades out.”
New to the police department, Shawn lacked benefits, including things like time off and sick leave. But his benefit limitations didn’t stop the Rollinsford Police Department and the surrounding community from standing behind him.
Fundraisers have been started and a GoFundMe campaign has helped cover some of the medical expenses.
Over the summer, his fellow officers even committed to growing beards to help raise money, even though facial hair is in violation of the department’s dress code.
So far, the GoFundMe campaign has reached over $40,000 of its $50,000 goal. It’s amazing what can happen when a community bands together.
“I’ve just been so humbled by this whole experience,” RPD Chief Bob Ducharme told WFXT Boston 25 News.
No doubt DePasquale feels the same. Between the extensive chemotherapy and radiation this young man has had to undergo, I’d say he could use all the love and support he can get.
Shawn and his fiancee, Sarah Harrelson, moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire in 2015. The pair lives in Dover, New Hampshire.com reported.
“Every penny given through this campaign will be given to Shawn to pay for his medical bills,” the most recent update on his GoFundMe page says.
“Each day Shawn continues to fight and keep a positive attitude as he fights this battle,” another update reads.
It is so amazing to see the RPD get behind one of their own and fight alongside him. Their support is an inspiration to us all.
Shawn continues to fight following his most recent surgery to remove his colon tumor. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones during this time.
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