MUPD officer dies after battle with brain cancer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A University of Missouri Police Department officer has died following a battle with cancer.

Officer Mitchel Smith, 27, died from brain cancer on Thursday morning, according to the police department. Smith had resigned from MUPD but remained part of the police department's family during his fight against cancer.

"It is a very sad time around the department because we are a small group whose members feel like family," said MUPD Chief Brian Weimer.

An MUPD spokesperson said Smith enjoyed rescuing dogs and photography outside of his work with the police department.

"Mitchel was an exceptional officer who worked hard to keep campus safe and to build relationships with faculty, staff, and students across the campus community," said Chief Weimer.

Smith joined MUPD in 2015 to start off his law enforcement career.