Retired San Luis Police Chief Battling Stage IV Cancer, GoFundMe Raised Nearly $8,100

Rich Jessup, the retired chief of the San Luis Police Department, is battling Stage IV cancer, and the family members organizing his GoFundMe campaign say the financial toll has mounted faster than anyone anticipated.

Jessup served as SLPD chief before retiring in 2023. His diagnosis has since brought, in the words of the GoFundMe page, "many unexpected challenges, both emotionally and financially," to his family. The campaign was created by family or friends to help cover three categories of need: medical care, travel for treatments, and daily living expenses.

"As we navigate this difficult journey together, the costs of medical care, travel for treatments, and daily living expenses have quickly added up," the campaign organizer wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the stress and allow our adored Papa/Dad/Husband to focus on his health and time with loved ones."

The campaign set a goal of $11,000. Nearly $8,100 had been raised as of the time of reporting, leaving roughly $2,900 still needed to reach the target.

Jessup's tenure as chief made him a well-known figure in San Luis, a border community of roughly 35,000 people in the southwestern corner of Yuma County. No statement from the San Luis Police Department has been issued publicly regarding Jessup's diagnosis or the fundraiser.

Those wishing to contribute can search for Rich Jessup on GoFundMe to find the active campaign.