Lt. Greg Collins, a Calhoun native, has returned to work with the Parkersburg Police Department, after a year suffering with a brain tumor.
The longtime officer returns to the force after a leave of absence for 13 months. Collins, a former task force coordinator, is protecting and serving again after undergoing serious surgery.
Collins was diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago and underwent surgery at Duke University. A month later his health subsided and Collins had emergency surgery at Camden Clark Medical Center.
He said his family prepared for the worst, but now doctors expect a full recovery.
"I mean it was tough, they were making plans to be in this world without me for a while because things were pretty dire," Collins said.
"I couldn't wait to get back, I was tired of sitting at home and I really missed everybody. I think the relationships are more important now than they were before," he said.
On Collins' first day back he went straight into teaching the Swat School while learning some procedural changes. Collins is now in charge of running the patrol division for the department.
Collins is the nephew of fallen Calhoun sheriff Park Richards, who was shot down 39 years ago.
"I was six when uncle Park was killed. I was in awe of him as a person. When I decided to become a police officer, my family questioned my decision," he said.
Collins led the effort to name Rt. 16 north of Grantsville, the Park Richards Memorial Highway.
See FLASHBACK 39 YEARS - WHERE IT HAPPENED: CALHOUN SHERIFF KILLED IN DEEPWOODS HOLLOW 1976
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