Community rallies behind Gulfport officer with cancer www.privateofficer.com

GULFPORT, MS Sept 21 2012A Gulfportpolice officer diagnosed with stage four colon cancer has a community rallyingbehind him. As Sgt. Davy Kirkland fights for his life, his friends andcoworkers don't want him to worry about his family's finances, so they'restepping in to help.Kirkland'swife, Audrey, remembers the day their world turned upside down.
"August 2nd, he started having right lower side pain. Ifigured it was appendicitis. The next morning he went in and had surgery andthey found that he had colon cancer," she recalled. "I didn't knowwhat to think. I was in shock."
That day, the doctors removed 18 inches of Kirkland's colon, nine lymph nodes, and twotumors. He is about to start six months of chemotherapy.
"Davy has survived earthquakes in Kosovo, HurricaneKatrina, house fires, tornadoes. So, he's going to survive this. He's afighter. He has a great personality and attitude and that hasn't evenchanged," Audrey Kirkland said.
"You can second guess things that have happened andwhat not. I mean, how many times in my life have I said 'I wish' something? Youknow, I wish that had happened to me instead of them?" Davy Kirklandasked.
"The thing that you have to remember about Davy is thatif you ever have a problem or you ever need anything, Davy was the first one tohelp," said Commander Chris Loposser, who has worked with Kirkland for nearly eight years.
"His first assignment, he acted as an undercoverofficer producing 150 street level narcotics cases right out the gate. So fromthe get go, Davy's been a huge asset for us."
Kirklandhas five children: four girls and one boy. His friends want Kirkland to know his family is being caredfor during this difficult time.
"We're trying to get to where Davy doesn't have so muchto worry about. He can focus on getting better," said Loposser.
You can keep up with Davy Kirkland's fight and offer yoursupport through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/prayingfordavy
To make a contribution to the fundraising effort, visit:http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=7844&url=teamdavydominatingcoloncancer
"We have been overwhelmed at the love and support thathas been shown," said Audrey Kirkland.
And it's that support, the Kirklands say, that will help himwin this battle against cancer.
Source:WLOX