ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Orange Beach criminal Investigator Glenn Lewellen is in his darkest hour and needs the light of hope from the people he has protected for nearly 10 years.

Lewellen, who has been a devoted police officer and resident of Orange Beach, is experiencing a strong reoccurrence of the cancer he was diagnosed with in 2006.

With six surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy, Lewellen said he thought he had kicked the cancer.

Recently, he was diagnosed with a second reoccurrence.

“This time we’ve been told that it’s stage four cancer,” Lewellen said.

Originally diagnosed with colon cancer, it has since spread to his left lung, left kidney and pancreas.

Lewellen is facing mounting transportation bills, which builds each time he travels to Mobile and Birmingham for treatment.

In the last two weeks, Lewellen and his wife Lynn have spent most days in Birmingham at the Kirkland Clinic at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“We have to stay in motels the whole time and eat out,” Lewellen said. “Basically, it’s the same expenses to go on vacation, but it’s not a vacation.”

His medications, which run around $200 monthly, are also a strain on the family budget.

Forced to take medical retirement, Lewellen is disheartened with his inability to protect the city.

“Through all the other surgeries I was able to still work,” Lewellen said, explaining during one treatment he wore a pump that administered a 24-hour dose of medication.

“He couldn’t devote the time he wanted to his job,” Lynn Lewellen said. “If he has a job, he wants to do it thoroughly. You can’t do your public justice by only being there part time.”

Now he is itching to get healthy and return to the line of duty. It is that dedication and service that has his family, friends and even strangers stepping up to lend a hand.

With two benefit funds, one set up at Alabama Credit Union and the other at Vision Bank, those wanting to donate can ask to deposit money in his account.

The first of two fundraising benefits is set for Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. community members can show their support at a fish fry, silent auction and bake sale to be held at the Orange Beach Community Center.

On Dec. 6 the Glenn Lewellen Benefit Bike Ride will help put Lewellen on the path to recovery. The ride will start at the Orange Beach Sportsplex, with registration running from 9-10:30 a.m., and will journey to The Hawg Pen in Foley — with a few detours along the way.

Organizer of the event, and longtime friend of Lewellen’s, Robbie Morrow said he couldn’t think of anyone else who is more deserving of the effort put forth to lend Lewellen a hand.

“He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known,” Morrow said. “And we need to do anything we can to help take the strain off of him and Lynn.”

With all the encouragement and aid the community has shown, Glenn Lewellen feels nothing but confidence that he will overcome and go back to work.

“I believe that with an illness, it’s people’s mindset that keeps them alive,” Lewellen said. “If they ever give up then they’re going to lose and I plan on fighting this. I’m not going to let it win; it’s not going to beat me.”

For more information about the ride contact Robbie Morrow at 251-943-2044 and for the fish fry contact Kris 251-747-6964.