A Life of Service—and a Father's Fight to Save His Son

by Thin Blue Line USA June 26, 2025 1 Comment

After 33 years with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Joffre thought the toughest battles were behind him.

He served with honor—from patrol to fugitive apprehension, from K-9 commander to Assistant Director of Community Affairs. Over the years, he received numerous awards for service and bravery, including a Purple Heart after being seriously injured while stopping an inmate escape. He survived pancreatic cancer—twice. And he stood by his wife during her long battle with polycystic kidney disease, eventually helping her find a life-saving donor.

But now, this retired law enforcement veteran faces a challenge no badge can fix alone.

His son, Beryl, is fighting for his life. He needs a new kidney. And now, Michael is calling on the Thin Blue Line community to help find a donor.

A Career Marked by Integrity and Courage

Michael joined the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 1991. He spent more than three decades on the job, earning a reputation for calm leadership and uncompromising integrity. “I treated people right—even when they didn’t make it easy,” he said. That mindset followed him through every rank—Sergeant, Lieutenant, and ultimately Assistant Director of Community Affairs.

From high-risk fugitive work to community outreach, his passion never wavered. He handled dangerous calls, de-escalated mental health crises, and trained the next generation of officers. He was proud of the badge, and even more proud of how he wore it.

But the law enforcement community wasn’t just a career. It was his lifeline—especially when cancer hit.

Family, Illness, and the Thin Blue Line

Michael is no stranger to hardship. He survived pancreatic cancer—twice. His wife battled kidney failure from polycystic kidney disease, eventually receiving a transplant through the help of a volunteer donor organization called Renewal. Though the disease didn’t take her life, years later passed away due to complications from COVID.

During these storms, the law enforcement family rallied around him. Fellow officers rearranged shifts. Commanders showed compassion. Friends checked in daily. "That blue line is real," Michael said. "Even in retirement, they don’t forget about you."

Now, he’s leaning on that same community for help once more.

A Son in Need

Beryl Joffre, Michael’s second-oldest son, inherited the same genetic kidney disease his mother lived with for years.

Now, Beryl faces his own fight. He’s a father, a husband, a pharmacist—and a kidney patient. Beryl will begin dialysis treatments at home. It’s a grueling, life-altering process that buys time—but not a cure.

“He’s everything you’d want in a son,” Michael says. “Caring, steady, gentle. He’s not just my son. He’s a father to my grandkids. He’s the man I hope to keep on this earth.”

Beryl, now 41, understands the gravity of what lies ahead—and the strength of the community he grew up in.

“My goal is to find a living donor—not just to survive, but to be here for my wife and my kids,” he said. “Growing up in a law enforcement family, I saw firsthand what sacrifice and support look like. I’m hoping that same community might help me find a second chance.”

The path forward? A kidney transplant.

A Call to the Thin Blue Line Family

Michael is asking for what no father wants to ask for—but what no law enforcement officer hesitates to give: help.

“If you’ve ever thought about being a kidney donor, or if you just want to see if you’re a match, now is the time,” he said. “We’ve given our lives to this job. All I’m asking is for someone to give Beryl a chance to live his.”

The donor process is facilitated through Renewal, a nonprofit that pairs patients with potential donors.

All medical expenses are fully covered by the recipient’s insurance. Non-medical expenses—such as lost wages, childcare, home care, and travel—are covered by Renewal, so donors are never left with a financial burden.

To see if you’re a match or to learn more about becoming a donor, please contact Renewal:

📧 Email: RN26509@renewal.org
📞 Phone: (718) 431-9831
Mention: “Kidney Donor for Beryl Joffre.”

Beyond the Badge

Michael Joffre’s story reminds us that behind every uniform is a human being—a husband, a father, a man who’s been through the fire and is still standing.

He retired from law enforcement, but he never retired from serving others. Now, it’s our turn to serve him.