North Texas sheriff’s deputy dies of cancer at 24

Deputy Sheriff Johnathan Venable passed away Friday, March 1, according to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.

Venable last year was diagnosed with Stage 4 anaplastic thyroid cancer. The department said he received his diagnosis in September, just one week before he married his wife, Genevieve, who is a dispatcher in Collin County.

“Over the past year, he faced surgery, thyroid hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation with unparalleled resilience,” the department said in a post on social media. “Even on palliative care at home, he continued his courageous fight against cancer until his last moments.”

Venable, who was affectionately known as “Alaska,” joined the department as a detention officer 2017 before getting promoted to a deputy in 2021.

“His commitment to the citizens of Collin County was unwavering, and his impact will be forever remembered,” the department said.