LONGVIEW, Texas — Police officers see and experience a lot, but losing someone to cancer can overwhelm even the toughest officer.
The Longview Police Department is grieving after losing one of its own over the weekend. Longview Police Chief Anthony Boone spoke about why the department and the community missing Officer Larry Solomon.
Chief Boone called Solomon a quiet giant, someone who also had a smile, was a professional, and a hard worker.
Solomon passed away Saturday morning. That day, Boone said the LPD not only lost a co-worker, but a brother. He was battling a rare form of cancer that occurs in the inner lining of the blood vessels. Chief Boone said it would take many Solomons to make the community a better place as he left an impact not only in the city, but the department as well.
"He’s that guy who always had a smile. He was a professional, he was a hard worker. And losing him, that’s losing a co-worker, that’s losing a friend, that’s losing a family member. It’s definitely a brotherhood in law enforcement and we’re definitely noticing that in the hallways by not having him present with us," Boone said.
The police department plans on supporting Solomon's family as they manage life without him. A funeral service for Solomon will be held this Friday at 11 a.m. at the Woodland Hills Baptist Church. The graveside service will follow at Hall Cemetery in Long Branch at 2 p.m.
Solomon also had a K9 partner. The chief said Solomon’s wish was for Gyro to be assigned to another officer who will make sure Gyro continues to work hard like Solomon did.