TJC police lieutenant with stage IV cancer receives community support at Tyler fundraiser

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Law enforcement officers, city employees and members of the public gathered Friday at a fundraiser for Tyler Junior College Police Lieutenant Brian Lintner, who is battling stage four cancer. [KLTV Channel 7 News]

A benefit event in Tyler drew a broad show of support Friday for Brian Lintner, a lieutenant with the Tyler Junior College Police Department who is undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The three-hour gathering, held at a downtown location, featured meal sales and raffles that generated funds for Lintner and his family.

Organizers coordinated the effort after learning of Lintner's diagnosis and obtained approval to move forward with the fundraiser. Officials with the Tyler Police Department helped publicize the event through social media platforms and internal communication channels.

The scale of community participation surprised Lintner. "This turnout has been extremely humbling," he said, adding that he was unprepared for the number of attendees, including many unfamiliar with him personally. He emphasized the importance of having others stand beside him during his medical battle, noting that his ability to endure treatment depended significantly on the encouragement he received.

Lintner identified his children, spiritual foundation and workplace colleagues as crucial anchors during his illness. His supervisor adjusted his work schedule during intensive treatment phases, while fellow officers have maintained regular contact and provided meals. These gestures of solidarity extended across agency boundaries, according to Tyler Police Department spokesperson Andy Erbaugh. "In a time of need, that's really when you see us come together," Erbaugh said, noting that officers from the county's multiple law enforcement agencies—including state police and municipal departments—rallied behind one of their colleagues.

Erbaugh, who has worn a badge in Tyler since 1997, reflected on the community's consistent willingness to support those facing hardship, whether uniformed or civilian. He described the benefit as a reflection of Tyler's fundamental character and values during times of crisis.