MUSKEGON, Mich. — A Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office detective has died.
Joseph James “Joe” Gabriel, 39, died at 2 p.m. Wednesday after undergoing surgery Monday morning. According to the Fraternal Order of Police, Gabriel had 15 years of service with the department and was diagnosed last Wednesday with suspected glioblastoma and five brain tumors.
Glioblastoma is the most common form of primary brain cancer in adults.
Gabriel and his wife, Leslie, are the parents of three young children.
In the wake of Gabriel’s death, Sheriff Dean Roesler issued the following statement:
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have to inform our staff of the death of Deputy (Detective) Joseph James Gabriel. Joe was removed from life support around 2pm and peacefully passed a short time later. Leslie and other family were with him. Regretfully Joe was not able to recover from the major brain surgery he underwent this past Monday for the removal of tumors from the brain. I will release further details after members of our staff have coordinated with Joe’s family. Please keep Leslie, Joes 3 children and the rest of his family in your thoughts and prayers. Additionally I ask that you keep Joe’s family here at the Muskegon County Sheriff’s office in your thoughts and prayers as well.”
