Hero Down: 21-Year-Old BCSO Deputy Alfonso ‘Tre’ Machado Succumbs To Rare Cancer

San Antonio, TX – Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputy Alfonso “Tre” Machado died on Oct. 18, following a “hard-fought battle with cancer,” according to his department.

Deputy Machado was diagnosed with Stage IV Ewing Sarcoma on July 20, which also happened to be his 21st birthday, KENS reported.

He underwent aggressive chemotherapy two weeks later.

The cancer ultimately spread to his spine and lungs, and he spent the last month of his life in hospice care, surrounded by his friends and family, WOAI reported.

“I love the job,” Officer Machado told WOAI in September. “It’s always there for me. Especially when I beat this, I’ll still have a job to go to. It’s always nice to be in that brotherhood. People that have your back.”

His family was by his side when he passed away at 2:54 p.m. on Oct. 18.

“Today the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office lost one of our own,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post later that day. “After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Deputy Alfonso ‘Tre’ Machado has finished his fight.”

BCSO said it was proud to have had Deputy Machado as a member of the force.

“Our prayers are with the entire Machado family and everyone affected by the loss of Deputy Machado,” the agency said.

During his two years with the department, Deputy Machado also served as a member of the Special Emergency Response Team, which handles high-risk situation inside the county’s jail facility, KENS reported.

His aunt, Angela Sarao, said that he dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer since he was a child.

“He was going to be a policeman – that’s what he always said,” Sarao told KENS. “He wanted to be just like his grandpa, just like his dad, and he never changed his mind.”

His brother was one of his fellow BCSO deputies.

Deputy Machado was the oldest of five siblings, and was born to be a protector, Sarao told KENS.

“He’s just so selfless,” she explained. “He told his mom [after his diagnosis], ‘But mom there is so many bad guys out there. I have to get back to work.'”

When he was hospitalized, visits from his fellow deputies always brightened his days.

Deputy Machado will be laid to rest on Oct. 30, according to his department.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alfonso “Tre” Machado, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

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