Cancer Diagnosis Inspires New Calling
Larry McKinnon retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in 2018.Larry McKinnon has dedicated nearly 40 years to a career in law enforcement. He’s repeatedly put his life on the line as a DUI squad officer, vice narcotics detective and hostage negotiator. But nothing could have prepared him for his most personal battle yet: cancer.
McKinnon first noticed something was wrong when he began experiencing frequent overnight trips to the bathroom. He trusted his instincts and consulted a urologist. After a series of tests including an MRI, he learned he had an enlarged prostate. Over time, biopsies and rigorous active surveillance pointed to a more serious concern. It was prostate cancer.
“I was extremely scared, more than anything else I had ever faced personally,” McKinnon shared.
“The fear of what the diagnosis meant and the uncertainty of the future was overwhelming. Coping with those emotions wasn’t easy. I focused on educating myself about the disease and treatment options, and I relied heavily on the support of my family, friends and medical team.”
Stop Cancer in Its Tracks
Julio Pow-Sang, MD
Determined to face the diagnosis head-on, McKinnon sought the best care available. On the recommendation of friends and family, he went to Moffitt Cancer Center. There, he met with Dr. Julio Pow-Sang for a thorough and compassionate consultation. After carefully weighing his options, McKinnon decided to undergo a radical prostatectomy. He wanted to stop the cancer in its tracks before it could spread beyond the prostate.
“I felt confident in placing my trust in the team at Moffitt,” McKinnon said.
During his treatment, many of his former colleagues, including some who are now part of Moffitt’s security team, encouraged him to consider joining the staff. McKinnon served 24 years with the Tampa Police Department and 15 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. At the time, he had retired with no plans to return to the workforce. But that all changed during his inpatient stay at Moffitt McKinley Hospital in September 2024. Over four days, he experienced care that transcended expectations.
“Every person I encountered — from nurses and aides to food service and support staff — demonstrated a level of compassion, warmth and professionalism that was as healing as it was humbling,” McKinnon said.
A Way To Serve Again
That experience stayed with him. It sparked something profound; a realization that he still had more to give. He didn’t want to leave Moffitt as a patient; he wanted to return as a team member.
McKinnon rides with The Defenders motorcycle club.
“I wanted to stand alongside those who had once stood by me, offering comfort, hope and strength to others facing the same fears and uncertainties I had,” McKinnon said.
McKinnon joined Moffitt’s security team in December of 2024. The role was more than just a new job; it became a calling. A way to serve again. A way to be part of a mission that changes lives. McKinnon’s journey from the front lines of law enforcement to the fight against cancer is a testament to his enduring strength, trust in expert care and unwavering will to overcome life’s toughest battles.
“It’s a privilege to come to work at Moffitt every day.”
