A Chattanooga Police Sergeant is in the middle of a battle for her life.
Sgt. Brenda Hafley was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last January.
She's one of just 17 adults in the country with it.
And her brothers and sisters in blue have joined her in the fight...but they need more help.
As she and a group of men try to wrangle a bull on the loose, Sgt. Brenda Hafley says "Get his legs guys! Get him up!"
Sgt. Hafley spent 25 years battling bad guys ...and bulls... on the streets of Chattanooga.
Now she's taking a new bull by the horns...facing a health fight head on.
Sgt. Brenda Hafley, "I have a knot on my neck. It's where it grew back."
Sgt. Hafley's has a rare form of cancer.
Brenda, "It cuts my esophagus area where I can't eat and I can't swallow."
Right now she's getting daily chemo treatments that last as long as six hours...with her daughter and her family in blue by her side.
Det. Larry Lockmiller, Chattanooga Police Property Crimes, "All 450 members of the police department, her brothers and sisters, you know, she holds a special place in our hearts."
That's why the thin blue line is circling her in this time of need.
Det. Tim Tomisek, IBPO 673 President, "She was trying to remodel her house when she got so deathly ill and now she can't even live there."
And the community has chipped in too.
Action Plumbing will provide free work along with contractor Barry Payne...to get her back in her house as soon as possible.
Brenda, "It makes me feel great (tears)"
It's that outpouring of support that brings tears to Sgt. Hafley's eyes.
Even as she fights for her life...she's still thinking of others.
Brenda, "If people can just take and help somebody each day, that's all that matters."
She and her family just want people to pay if forward...and never give up.
Charla Hafley, Daughter, "When life punches you in the face, you get back up and people need to keep that in mind that that has to happen."
The helpers need your help getting Sgt. Hafley's house fixed up.
They could use anything from donations of materials to labor.
You can chip in by going to the local
International Brotherhood of Police Officers website or
Facebook page.
