Hyattsville, MD – Hyattsville Police Sergeant Anthony “Tony” Knox passed away on July 17 following a two-year battle with cancer.

Sgt. Knox, 42, had a benign mixed tumor removed from behind his left eye in 2011, but it returned with a vengeance five years later, Life & Times Hyattsville reported.

“I knew something was wrong,” Sgt. Knox said at the time.

Doctors soon confirmed that the tumor was cancerous, and had spread into the bone surrounding his eye. They recommended another surgery to knock out the aggressive cancer.

“There’s no sense in doing the ‘woe is me’ and sulking over it,” Sgt. Knox said. “Either I’ll have two eyes and die, or have one eye and continue to live.”

With the support of his department, Sgt. Knox battled the disease into submission, and received a cancer-free diagnosis in early 2017, the Hyattsville PD said in a Facebook post.

But by August of 2017, the cancer had returned.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved, Sergeant Anthony ‘Tony’ Knox # 206,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Two years ago, Sergeant Knox was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Many family members, friends, and donors throughout the country supported him during his bout with this terrible disease. He passed away on July 17, 2018, at 1:38 a.m.”

Sgt. Knox, a United States Army veteran, served with the Department of Defense Police and the Edmonston Police Department prior to joining the Hyattsville PD on Jan. 26, 2006.

“As Sergeant Knox ascended the rank structure, he consistently displayed dynamic leadership earning the following highly coveted Departmental awards: Silver Medal of Valor, Bronze Medal of Valor, Police Officer of the Year, Lifesaving Award, Leadership Award, and several other citations,” the department noted.

In April of 2012, Sgt. Knox began working with K9 Ori, who he “adored,” and the duo went on to graduate from the Prince George’s County Police Department K9 School in November of 2013, according to the Hyattsville PD.

“He was preceded in death by his K-9 partner, Ori, in 2017 and always looked forward to their reunion,” the department added.

Sgt. Knox was the agency’s K9 supervisor, and also served as the department’s Taser instructor, Emergency Response Team point man, defensive tactics instructor, and lead firearms instructor.

“The City of Hyattsville Police Department lost a true hero,” Hyattsville Interim Police Chief Amal Awad told Life & Times Hyattsville. “Sgt. Knox taught us all what moving through adversity with dignity and strength truly means. He never wavered. He never quit. He came to work with an exceptional level of commitment and passion every day.”

“Sgt. Knox exuded leadership, was highly revered, and deeply loved by his family, friends, and the men and women of the City of Hyattsville Police Department,” Chief Awad continued. “Every officer who worked with Sgt. Knox on Squad 2 and in our K9 Unit has conveyed how he consistently led by example and expected nothing less than excellence from his squad members.”

Sgt. Knox leaves behind the “love of his life,” Meredith, his children, Kellen, Logan, Ethan, and Taylor, as well as his parents and sister, the department said.

“We thank Sgt. Knox for his leadership, friendship, and service to our community and country,” Chief Awad said. “We are devastated by his loss and will miss him dearly. We are grateful that the Knox family shared Tony with us for so many years, and we appreciate everyone who assisted the Knox family throughout this journey as Tony valiantly fought cancer.”

“His presence will forever remain with the City of Hyattsville Police Department, and all whose lives he touched,” the chief concluded.

Sgt. Knox was laid to rest on Friday, according to his obituary.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Hyattsville Police Sergeant Anthony “Tony” Knox, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.