WAITE PARK -- The Waite Park City Council voted unanimously last night to retire the badge number of former officer Brad Thelen.

Thelen died in February after battling cancer for about six years. He was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2008 which was removed successfully.

In 2011 doctors found cancer in his lungs. A benefit dinner was held in December for the Thelen family.

He leaves behind his wife and two daughters. Thelen worked at the Waite Park Police Department for 18 years.

He received a Medal of Valor in 2009, the highest police honor, when he risked his own life to save a suicidal person from drowning.

Thelen's retired badge number is 2307.

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