Retired local police officer Charles “Bubba” Bailey, whose illness galvanized his brothers in blue to raise money to support him, died Thursday morning.

Bailey was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring. He successfully completed chemotherapy treatments, regained his strength, and underwent surgery on Oct. 24. He developed complications earlier in the week, but had planned to return to Andalusia on

Members of the APD held several fundraisers for Bailey in an effort to help ease the financial burdens that resulted from his disease.

Bailey proudly took personal credit for having “trained” current APD Chief Paul Hudson, one of many people with whom he worked in his more than 35 years with the department. Bailey also gave fellow officers – especially younger ones – a paternal hug and a kiss on the head.

Bailey, who enjoyed spinning a good yarn, also was well known in the community for his dance moves while directing school traffic.

It was both the camaraderie of law enforcement and that special “thing” Bailey had that motivated his former co-workers to work tirelessly in his behalf, Hudson said.

“We would all do anything for anybody within that department, or their families,” Hudson said. “But it was him, too. We loved Bubba.”

Funeral arrangements had not been made when The Star-News went to press.