WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — It was a gut-wrenching final farewell as family, friends and fellow officers said goodbye to Officer Matthew McNeal on Tuesday.
Ofc. Matt McNeal was part of the bike squad at @TampaPD. He was laid to rest after losing his battle with brain cancer. His family says he was competitive and rooted in his faith. He leaves behind his wife, a 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter @BN9 pic.twitter.com/JV4CNFtO2a
— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) January 11, 2022
McNeal passed away on January 2 after a battle with brain cancer lasting more than a year. He leaves behind his wife, Mandy, as well as a 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. He was a member of the Tampa Police bike squad and earned two life-saving awards since he joined the department in 2014.
During his funeral service at Bridgeway Church in Wesley Chapel, McNeal's father spoke to hundreds of friends and family members about his son's competitive nature and faith. McNeal's close friend and former TPD supervisor also took the stage to share lessons they learned from him.
The service concluded with a message from McNeal himself. Towards the end of his cancer battle, he recorded an 8 minute video that was played for the crowd. McNeal spoke about his love for his family, his faith in God and how grateful he was for the life he lived.
"Having cancer allowed me to open my emotions to old friends and new ones," he said. "I was blessed beyond anything I deserve."
Members of the TPD bike squad held a fundraiser for McNeal in December and raised more than $20,000 to help his family with medical costs.
He passed away surrounded by his family.