Albany, NY – Albany Police Department (APD) Detective Kevin Meehan died on Wednesday afternoon, after a long battle with an aggressive form of cancer, the department said.

Detective Meehan, 37, a member of the APD’s tactical team and community response unit, was a 13-year veteran of the department, Acting Chief Robert Sears told WRGB in a statement.

“Detective Meehan was an incredible asset to the department, who always served the residents of his City with distinction, pride and the highest level of integrity,” Chief Sears said. “He truly possessed the many great qualities that we as a community expect of our police officers.”

He received an outpouring of support from his fellow officers and his community throughout his treatment, the Times Union reported.

“He always hoped to give back his community,” Chief Sears said. “When he became a police officer, he was able to touch many lives, and was always willing to help a fellow neighbor in need.”

The detective was raised, and lived, in the community he served, and was hailed as “one of the best linebackers to play for the Golden Griffins” during his high school years, his high school football alumni program said, according to the Times Union.

“He was a tremendous player, teammate, and friend,” the group said.

Detective Meehan married his wife, Crystal, just months before his diagnosis in 2016, according to his fundraising page. The couple was hoping to start a family.

In addition to his wife, Detective Meehan is survived by his parents, two sisters, and his brother, APD Sergeant Daniel Meehan, the Times Union reported.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the detective, she said in a Facebook post.

“He battled cancer valiantly while remaining committed to his family, his colleagues, and his community,” the mayor said.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Albany Police Detective Kevin Meehan, both blood and blue. Godspeed, we will take the watch from here.

Thank you for your service.