Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The Knox County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday afternoon that Sheriff Tom Spangler has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

In an open letter from Spangler, he said he learned late last week that he had the disease. He said he is “grateful the cancer was caught early, and the prognosis is excellent.”

Spangler added that the day-to-day operation of the sheriff’s office will not be disrupted as he fights this battle but that treatments could cause him to miss events he would have otherwise attended.

Spangler has been sheriff of Knox County since 2018 after having served in the department in various roles before then. As a father and a grandfather, the sheriff is asking for your prayers but also for his family’s privacy.

“I covet your prayers, and as always, I am honored to serve as your Sheriff!” Spangler said.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said, “It’s an honor to serve alongside Tom Spangler. Tom is a friend and he’s a great sheriff. I ask everyone to join Crystal and me in keeping Tom, his family, and everyone at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in our prayers.”