Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Timmy Puckett, center, with his daughter Kinlee Puckett, left and wife Kim Puckett, right (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) held a fundraising lunch Friday to benefit one of its own, Deputy Timmy Puckett. Puckett is currently undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for the second time.
Money raised at the event will be given to the Puckett family for expenses during his ongoing treatment. As the event started, Timmy and his wife Kim surprised everyone by coming out to thank the community for its support.
Timmy Puckett said, “I stay very tired, but I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their help and support. I have another week in Huntsville for maintenance chemo before heading to Vanderbilt.”
Kim Puckett explained, “Tuesday we have a consultation with the doctors at Vanderbilt. We will be back in Huntsville for a week before going back to Vanderbilt for a two-day evaluation prior to the bone marrow transplant. The transplant will require a two-week hospital stay followed by three months within close proximity to the hospital. We will hopefully know more about actual dates after the consultation on Tuesday. Eventually we will have to rent a house, apartment or hotel.”
The cost of relocating to Nashville will be out of pocket expenses for the Pucketts.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said of his deputy, “He is a great asset, leader and fighter. We are all so proud of him and it’s important that we take care of each other. Cullman is the best county in Alabama and we are blessed to have a man like Timmy Puckett here.”
Gentry continued, “It looks like we will sell out. We had 3,000 hotdogs and plates were $5. Many people gave more. I want to thank everyone for pulling together to help out. We are blessed.”
The Cullman Police Department worked together with the CCSO to help organize the benefit. Officers from throughout the county came to show their brother and his family love. The Hoover Police Department also sent an officer, who once worked for the CCSO, to show its support.
Timmy and Kim Puckett have two daughters. Kinlee, 16, was at the fundraiser, but Kyla, 11, was at school. Both girls attend Vinemont.
Said Kim Puckett, “It was devastating when we learned of the cancer returning. We found out right as school was getting ready to start, and I think school helps keep the girls busy. They are trying to stay strong for their daddy. Many people wonder why people like small towns. This is why! In a small town, people come together to help everyone, and I just don’t know what we’d do without this community.”
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