MACON, Ga. — Bibb County Sheriff David Davis announced Wednesday that he has beaten cancer.
The sheriff was diagnosed with leukemia in February.
13WMAZ spoke with the sheriff Wednesday night, and he shared a message to folks navigating the same diagnosis.
"I can't say enough about the outpouring of support and friendship from all the people in middle Georgia as well as from the doctors at Emory and as well as the doctors here at Central Georgia Cancer Clinic. They have gotten me through this and I appreciate that, and I certainly couldn't have gotten through it without a lot of prayer," Davis said.
As Sheriff Davis underwent treatment in Atlanta and Macon, he stepped back from some duties as sheriff.
I was diagnosed in February had not been feeling well for a little while before that, but actually diagnosed in February and spent a good part of March up at Emory hospital and then follow-on treatment here at the Central Georgia Cancer Center with Dr. Brad Summerall, so they've done some great work," said Davis. "I hope anyone who is suffering such a diagnosis as this, there is hope. There are good people out there that are working on your behalf and want to get you cured."
He says he's proud of how his department stepped up during that time and he's thankful to them and the community for their support.
"I think that you learn that you're not infallible and you learn that you're not made of steel and that you have to rely on other people to help you out and to be there for you," the sheriff said. "The people here at the sheriff's office that have came up to the plate and have done a lot of things while I wasn't able to be here as much they've shown me how well they can run the office and that sort of thing, and they have really stepped up, so I appreciate the support of the sheriff's office and all the people here in the community."
Ultimately, the sheriff says that he feels good and is "ready to face the future," and is thankful for the chance to get back to what he does best -- serving the community.
"I'm just glad to get through this journey in my life and move on into the future and to and continue to serve the community, and continue to be out there and doing what we need to do. I love being the sheriff, and I love being able to serve this community, and now that my health is much better, to be able to get back into that routine even more."
Sheriff David Davis has worked with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office for more than 40 years.