WASHINGTON — A D.C. Fire and EMS fire lieutenant died Wednesday after losing his battle to prostate cancer for the third time.
WJLA.com reported that Lt. Preston Williams, a 25-year veteran, was 40 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Two years ago, he completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 7 hours and 20 minutes.
Lt. Williams said the support from his department and family got him through the race.
“I have my brothers in the fire department that are going to be right there by my side running with me, walking with me,” he said. “Without the brothers in the fire department, it wouldn’t be possible for me to do this race.”
D.C. Fire Fighters Association posted this tweet on Twitter after learning of Lt. Williams’ death:
“We lost a champion in our fight against cancer. He fought the good fight for all of us. RIP Lt. Preston Williams.”
We lost a champion in our fight against #Cancer. He fought the good fight for all of us. RIP Lt. Preston Williams pic.twitter.com/1zAwq8wZbs
— DC Fire Fighters L36 (@IAFF36) February 10, 2016
After #DCFD Lt. Preston Williams ran the marathon, they didn’t give him a medal because his pace too slow. SMH. ...
Posted by Jennifer Donelan on Wednesday, February 10, 2016