TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) said a detective was laid to rest after he died from a year-long battle with cancer in January.

TPD said 39-year-old Officer William Hays was laid to rest Wednesday morning at a funeral service at South Lakewood Baptist Church.

Hays was born in Sapulpa and graduated from Mounds High School, according to TPD. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aviation technician, and was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. TPD said Hays earned the Iraq Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Hays earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Oklahoma State University in 2010 and joined TPD in 2011.

“For his service to our country, our city, and our community, the Tulsa Police Department is eternally grateful to Officer William Hays,” said TPD.

Officer Hays is survived by his wife and three children. An account has been set up for the family at the FOP Credit Union.

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