Deputy Brian McAmis
Deputy Brian McAmis, a 16 year veteran of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, lost vision in one eye in 1991, had a kidney removed in 1995 and just recently lost his other only kidney – but not in the line of duty. He has been battling a rare form of cancer called Von Hippel-lindau for 22 years. Deputy McAmis lost his father to this same disease that he and his sister suffer with. Brian and his sister take dialysis together three days a week for four hours each visit.
“Nobody who is 44 years old should have to go through all this,” said Deputy McAmis after dialysis. He has his good days and his bad days. Today was a bad day, with nausea following his treatment. Having his last kidney removed has made Deputy McAmis cancer-free and for that he is thankful. But he is not eligible for a kidney transplant until he has been cancer-free for two years.
Deputy McAmis is a single dad with three children – a son 22, a daughter 19 and a 16-year old son at home. Deputy McAmis will be on short-term disability for a maximum of 6 months, then the benefit will be exhausted. He is not sure he will be able to return to work. He has used all his sick time and vacation time due to this illness. The Sheriff’s Office salary is Brian’s only source of income, and the medical bills keep coming.
Deputy McAmis has been a faithful public servant in this community for 16 years with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, said officials. Before his recent surgery, he was assigned to the Bradley County Courthouse downtown. Now Deputy McAmis and his 16-year old son need help. To provide financial assistance, an account has been set up for Deputy McAmis at the Bank of Cleveland, or contact Ron Dunn of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office at 595-6769 or Larry Hill at Larry Hill Ford.