The community in Cottonwood has rallied in support of a Cottonwood police officer who has been battling a brain tumor.
Officer John “Jack” Glock is a recent graduate of the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy. Before that, he was a corrections officer at a maximum security prison north of New York City. Glock was diagnosed with the tumor last summer, shortly after starting his career in law enforcement.
Because of limited access to quality neurosurgeons in Arizona, Glock traveled to Long Island, N.Y., to receive care from the same doctor who treated U.S. Sen. John McCain’s [RAriz.] brain tumor. For members of the Cottonwood Police Department, the news of Glock’s tumor was devastating.
“He is a very respectful human being …. I would characterize him as the epitome of the all-American kid dedicated to helping others,” said Cottonwood Police Chief Steve Gesell. “That’s what’s so catastrophic about someone who is dedicated to serving others.”
A GoFundMe page was set up following Glock’s diagnosis. More than $13,000 has been raised since its creation last October. Gesell said community members have also been stopping by the Cottonwood Police Department to drop off donations.
Modified Motorcycle Association Verde Valley District collaborated with law enforcement, Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson and Pawn Palace to raise money for Glock’s recovery and treatment. Raffle tickets were sold at $10 a piece for the drawing of a Glock 19 Gen 5 9mm pistol, amounting to a total of $3,000 raised for his medical expenses.
The partnership seemed natural as Cottonwood bikers and the police have always had a good relationship, dispelling the stereotype that the groups shouldn’t get along, according to Cottonwood City Councilwoman Deb Althouse, who is a rider herself.
“We motorcycle riders often get a bad reputation because of TV stereotypes … but here in the Verde Valley when we see a need we step in and do what we can,” Althouse wrote in an email. “Motorcyclists are some of the most giving people I have ever met and I am very proud to call myself a biker,” she said.
After learning about Glock’s diagnosis, the motorcycle association wanted to see how it could help, Althouse said.
“This raffle for Officer Glock started when we read the article about his surgeries and the GoFundMe that had been set up to help him,” Althouse wrote in an email.
The groups decided on the slogan, “Win a Glock and help Officer Glock,” and reached out to vendors to see if they could get the gun donated, Althouse said. Davidson’s Inc., of Prescott, donated the Glock.
Logan Roberts from Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson ended up winning the drawing and Gesell accepted the check for Glock, who is recovering from treatment.
Gesell said Glock was not aware of the fundraiser and intends to surprise him with the money.
“He’s pretty humble,” Gesell said. “He would be the last person to ask for help but the first person to help others.”
Kelcie Grega can be reached at 634-8551, or email kgrega@larsonnewspapers.com
