FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — A Fort Wayne Police Department officer has died following a battle with a brain tumor, the department announced Tuesday.

According to our partners in news at 21ALIVE, officer Justin Koehl passed away at Stillwater Hospice, surrounded by his family.

“Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time, and kindly respect the family’s privacy as they grieve his loss,” the post said.

The Allen County Sheriff’s Department also expressed condolences, calling Koehl a “dedicated public servant, a teammate, a friend, and a protector of this community.”

“His courage didn’t end when his shift did, and his strength didn’t stop at the hardships he faced,” the department wrote in a post. “Even in his final battle, he showed the same bravery and grit that defined his service.”

A GoFundMe supporting Koehl’s family has remained active since he became ill. It can be viewed here.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-koehl-family-through-justins-brain-tumor-battle