Holly MatkinWinchester, VA – United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Sergeant James Locklear passed away on March 13, after courageously battling an aggressive form of cancer for over two years.
Sgt. Locklear, 39, underwent multiple surgeries as he “vigorously battled this disease,” a group of his fellow law enforcement officers said in a statement to Blue Lives Matter on Friday.
“Sgt. Locklear had a core group of peers by his side during this fight, and those peers often speak of the determination and fight that he showed attempting to defeat this disease,” the statement read. “Sgt. Locklear displayed an immeasurable drive and desire to return to the Patrol Unit and that belief is what kept his fight strong each and every day.”
Prior to his career with the U.S. Secret Service, Sgt. Locklear “honorably served” as a military police officer in the U.S. Army for seven years, his peers said.
He also served as a corrections officer in Ohio before he was hired by the U.S. Secret Service in 2010.
Sgt. Locklear was assigned to the Foreign Missions Branch, and was serving in the White House Branch as a member of the Patrol Unit at the time of his death.
His former supervisor, Inspector Vince Gregory, told Blue Lives Matter that Sgt. Locklear will forever be remembered for his “character, courage, perseverance, and determination.”
“He was known by many as ‘the gentle giant,’ Insp. Gregory added.
“The Secret Service has lost one of its finest,” the agency tweeted on March 13. “A 9-year veteran of the Secret Service, Sgt. Locklear will forever be Worthy of Trust and Confidence.”
Sgt. Locklear leaves behind his parents, brother, and sister, according to his peers.
His funeral service was held in Fort Royal, Virginia on Saturday, and he will be laid to rest in Ohio.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Sergeant James Locklear, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.