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Zachary’s Story
On Friday, November 29th, 2024, Zachary was driving to work when he began experiencing abdominal discomfort. As his shift began, the pain became unbearable, and he went to the ER. An ultrasound of his gallbladder revealed multiple tumors on his liver. After several more scans and a biopsy, it was confirmed to be cancer. He was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of liver cancer.
Zachary underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy before traveling to Indianapolis, hopeful for surgery. However, instead of being able to remove the cancer, doctors found it had spread beyond a manageable level. He was given two weeks to live. Tragically, Zachary passed away just two days later at a hospice care center in Evansville, Indiana.
Zachary was a dedicated corrections officer with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and was well known for his compassion and kindness. That’s why he appreciated the work that CourtStrong is doing—because they embody the values he held most dear.
These last few months—facing his illness and losing him—have been nearly unbearable. But Shon and CourtStrong have been tremendous in helping us every step of the way, including raising the funds to buy us a van after Zachary was involved in an accident that totaled our only vehicle just a month before his diagnosis.
We will never be able to repay the kindness shown to us. His kids and I have endured a great loss, but we have also known great love. Zachary’s job, being a father, his brothers—both by blood and by bond—and being my husband were the roles he was most proud of.
He will be truly missed by so many.
