By Police1 Staff
HOUSTON — A Houston police officer battling stage 4 metastatic colon cancer braved Harvey’s floodwaters to help rescue thousands of stranded residents.
Norbert Ramon’s sergeant called him as rain began to fall on Aug. 26, Fox News reported. The 24-year veteran began preparing for the worst.
“By Sunday morning when he woke up, there was so much rain and standing water that he could not go to his regular duty in downtown Houston,” Ramon’s wife, Cindy, said.
Ramon notified his sergeant then reported for duty with the Houston Lake Patrol, the nearest patrol unit.
“From then it was a madhouse,” Cindy told Fox. “They started going out rescuing people in all parts of Houston. That’s where it started from and it’s been non-stop.”
Ramon was put on desk duty three weeks ago over concern about his health. But Cindy said the cancer hasn’t been on Ramon’s mind. He’s concerned with helping Harvey victims. So far, he’s helped rescue 1,500 residents.
“He’s been so caught up in the emotions and the excitement of trying to rescue people, he had no time to even think about it,” Cindy said. “You wouldn’t even think he had cancer, he’s plugging along like he doesn’t.”
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Ramon receives chemotherapy in Oklahoma every two weeks. After the hospital staff saw photos of Ramon’s work, they were reportedly worried for his health, but believe he’s truly a hero.
“The people actually reached out to me, they called us and said ‘Hey how are you guys doing, we’re seeing all the photos and we wanted to check up on you,’” Cindy said. “It’s just an emotional roller coaster.”