Austin Police Dept. Chief Art Acevedo on Wednesday honored 30-year department veteran Sgt. Kenny Wilson with the Distinguished Command medal for demonstrating “exceptional command and leadership” over an “extended period of time.”
Wilson, a supervisor of the APD’s Bomb Squad Unit, was diagnosed two years ago with esophageal cancer. Despite his deteriorating health, Wilson continued to serve at APD until last month. Now in hospice, the 55-year-old is unable to continue his duties and will officially retire, effective March 31. Wilson’s sons, Randy and Daniel, accepted the medal and a citation on their father’s behalf during a press conference on March 5. “Sometimes he had radiation treatment on his lunch break and then returned to the office afterward,” Acevedo said. “If strength, stamina, and positive attitude could cure cancer, Kenny would have been completely well long ago. He became a role model by his actions and gave the rest of us a standard to try to achieve.”
This article appears in February 27 • 2009.