Coventry Police Officer Dies After Battle With Serious Illness

COVENTRY, RI — Coventry police Lt. Gary Miller died Monday after recently being diagnosed with a serious illness, according to police.

Miller, 49, served as a police officer for more than 23 years.

"Gary was the epitome of a great cop, family man and friend," Coventry police wrote on social media.

Coventry police in a statement said Miller modeled his career around the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, which says "my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder."

A GoFundMe page was created Sunday to help Miller's family with upcoming expenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, the campaign raised nearly $37,000