“He was never one of those people that said, why me? He never gave into it, he fought right to the end,” said Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody.
Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody says 38-year-old Ben Roth’s love of live was infectious.
“He taught us all how to make the most out of every day,” said Chief Carmody.
For the last 18 years Roth has been protecting and serving the town he grew up in.
“While he was getting chemotherapy and he felt good and he felt up to it, he went in and tried to work. His main drive was to get back to work,” said Ben’s brother Michael Roth.
Roth's younger brother Michael says despite Ben’s colon cancer diagnosis in June of 2015, he was always looking to future.
“It was pretty amazing, while Ben was off work he went in and tested for the lieutenant's test,” said Michael Roth.
Last week at his home surrounded by his wife and two children, Roth was promoted to lieutenant. On Saturday, Roth lost his fight to colon cancer.
Even though he is no longer on earth to protect and serve, Roth will continue to watch over his family and the Council Bluffs community.
“He had a heart that was beyond what most of us carry around and he was a pretty amazing guy,” said Michael Roth.
Michael says one of the things his brother loved most about his job was being a school resource officer for five years at Wilson Middle School. Many of the former students took to social media to share memories.
To learn more about Lt. Roth's funeral services, click here.
