GLENVILLE, W.Va. (WBOY) — A community benefit dinner was held on Sunday for the Gilmer County Sheriff, Donald "Smokey" Belin, who is battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Sheriff Belin, who is well known by the name "Smokey" is described by his fellow officers as one of the most giving people that they know.
On Sunday, friends, coworkers, Gilmer County community members and surrounding counties were able to give back to Sheriff Smokey through a community benefit dinner in Glenville to support his fight against stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
12 News spoke with Smokey about the support he is receiving from the community.
"It really shows that I'm cared for and that I'm loved and everything. Not only that, but you know the friendships that I have developed over the years and everything," Smokey said. "To see everyone pulling together to back me and support me through this, it really means a lot to me."
Some of Smokey's co-workers from his previous department in Union County, North Carolina, also travelled up to support him, but made it a surprise.
"I had no idea that they were coming, and when they pulled into my residence yesterday, I, it just, overjoyed," Smokey said.
How West Virginia schools are preventing cardiac arrests in student athletes
The surprises didn't stop there as Sheriff Davis from Ritchie County helped coordinate with other law enforcement officers to fly in a helicopter as a special presentation for Sheriff Smokey.
Deputy Sheriff of Gilmer County, Colton Travis spoke with 12 News about Smokey's character.
"When I first was hired, his first thing was 'you don't work for me, you work with me' and that explains his character right there," Travis said.
Chief Deputy of Gilmer County, Jim Toombs, also spoke with 12 News about his friendship with Smokey.
"I've worked for a lot of people, Smokey is probably one of the closest people I've ever gotten to know," Toombs said.
Smokey shared how blessed he felt to have the support from his brothers and sisters in law enforcement and shared his message about pancreatic cancer.
"Pancreatic cancer is no joke, cancer in itself is no joke, and everything you know so you know so make this public awareness and everything," Smokey said. "To people that need help, you know support them and be there for them and everything and make sure that if you have family members that are aren't well that they get the support and love that they need."
Those interested in supporting or donating, can visit the GoFundMe link here.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.