Eric Hoagland; TV told of cancer fight

A former Durham police officer whose battle with cancer was chronicled in a recent Biography Channel TV special has died.

With family members at his side, Eric Hoagland of Wake Forest died late Tuesday at Duke University Medical Center. He was 35.

His fight to keep living to the fullest, even as his body slowly succumbed to metastatic chondrosarcoma, was one of two stories on the Biography Channel program "Six Months," which aired for the first time Dec. 5.

Filming began in spring 2006, about the time Hoagland was preparing for surgery to remove two tumors in his brain.

Diagnosed in 2005

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and had endured treatment for tumors in one of his legs, his right bicep, his lungs, his right kidney, his intestines and his pelvic region.

Still, he remained active for as long as he could, as shown on "Six Months." He restored his beloved 1986 Mustang for his daughter Caitlin, now 4, to drive when she turns 16. With the help of a friend, he built a playground for Caitlin in the backyard.

Hoagland's strong will impressed Duke oncologist Amy P. Abernethy, who was his doctor when he first became ill.

"When the 'Six Months' show called and asked about people who might be undergoing such an ordeal, Eric was the first person that came to mind," Abernethy said. "Here's this guy who's completely bald, getting three types of chemotherapy, doing everything he can to try and keep his tumor under control, and also saying, 'Gosh darnit, I'm gonna live.' He went out with his buddies skiing. I thought it was a real statement of who Eric was as a person."

The tough, opinionated person he became was shaped by four years in the Navy, which he joined after graduating from Cary High School. He remained with the Navy Reserve until his death. He joined the Durham Police Department nine years ago, working his way up from patrolman to investigator.

Hoagland married his devoted and equally strong-willed wife, Tina, in 2003. She is a Wake County sheriff's deputy, and the couple's mock-antagonistic banter in "Six Months" provided a little comic relief.

He'll be missed

In an interview this month, Eric Hoagland expressed annoyance that he had to retire in July from the Durham Police Department because of his illness.

"He loved the police force, and he loved the Navy," said his father, Gerry Hoagland. "He was a good guy. ... I'm really proud of him and what he accomplished and how he lived his life. He'll be missed by a lot of people."

In addition to his wife, daughter and father, Eric Hoagland is survived by his mother, Julie Hoagland of Cary, and his brother, Michael Hoagland.

Funeral arrangements were pending at press time.