CINCINNATI -- Deputy Lawrence Briggs worries about going to bed at night. He's worried he won't wake up.
Not because of the line of work he's in. Because his cancer came back.
Just a year ago, Briggs thought he was in the clear. The cancer was in remission. He was back at work at his job with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, though many didn't think he'd pull through.
Now Briggs has to hang up his uniform well ahead of his time because the cancer is causing neurological issues in his brain.
"Yes, I am scared -- I am not going to lie, I am scared. I don't sleep at night because I have this fear of going to bed and not waking up," he said.
With colleagues standing at his side Wednesday, Briggs said it's their support and the support of the community that's helping him to not give up. They've helped raise $3,000 in just 13 days.
The sheriff's office has set up a fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 10 p.m. at O'Malley's in the Alley. There's also a GoFundMe page to help pay for medical expenses.
"When you fall, you have all these people behind you to pick you up," Briggs said. "I was in Kroger's, and people were giving me hugs."
Watch the video above to hear more about Briggs' emotional journey.
