He Wants To Be A Police Officer, But First Ocean County Man Must Fight For His Life

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Three weeks ago, Teddy Golubowski ran a mile in less than 6 minutes.

He had been working hard for months, preparing to chase his dream of becoming a police officer, making sure he was physically and mentally ready for the challenges of working in law enforcement.

When he started training at the Ocean County Police Academy in March, Golubowski excelled and was named a class leader, his family says.

That all changed two weeks ago when Golubowski, 27, went to the emergency room at Ocean University Medical Center in Brick on May 27, feeling fatigued and unable to shake a recent cold, his family said.

He was significantly pale, too, his uncle, Bill McKinnon told Patch.

Within 48 hours he was undergoing treatment for a very rare and very aggressive form of testicular cancer that had already spread to his lungs and liver, McKinnon said. Things worsened significantly on June 3, when the masses on his liver began bleeding.

"Throughout his training, Teddy has been at the top of his class, and even ran a sub 6-minute mile just one week before his hospitalization," his sister, Emily, wrote on a GoFundMe campaign launched to help pay his medical bills.

Now Golubowski is intubated and on dialysis and has been transferred to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, where he is in critical condition, intubated and on dialysis.

"His treatment is going to be extremely complicated," his sister wrote.

Golubowski, a graduate of Donovan Catholic and McDaniel College, has health coverage through Medicaid, but his family is anticipating his medical expenses will far exceed his coverage.

He training at the county police academy on a sponsorship from the Seaside Heights Police Department and was awaiting an interview with the Stafford Township Police Department, McKinnon said, after an employment offer from the Toms River Police Department was rescinded days before the police academy training was due to start.

"Instead of sulking, Teddy focused on an alternate route," McKinnon said.

"Teddy is bright, athletic and carries himself with a quiet confidence," his uncle, a retired Toms River police officer, said. Golubowski came home to Toms River to serve his community, he said.

"I could not be any more proud to pass the family torch of law enforcement down to him," McKinnon said.

"We are all devastated that his career and passion for this work will need to be put on hold and resumed when he is in better health," his sister wrote.

"Anyone who knows Teddy knows not only how hard he works, but also how little he complains. He has spent countless years as a teammate, leader, brother, and friend to those around him with no hesitation to be there for those who need him. We also know that he is extremely selfless and reluctant to ask for help, even when he is struggling," his sister wrote.

The GoFundMe campaign had raised nearly $94,000 as of 1 p.m. Tuesday. Those wishing to donate can do so here.

"Even with the difficulties of the past week, Teddy has been endlessly strong, and we have hope that he will continue to fight in the days ahead," his sister wrote.