Former Detective Sean Dixon Dies Of Cancer At 16

Sean Dixon, the Medford teen who remained so full of life and positivity despite being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in 2015, died Wednesday.

Dixon, who had been been under hospice care, died at 10:38 a.m. with his mother and father by his side. The 16-year-old courageously fought osteosarcoma and touched many hearts.

"Sean Dixon is an angel from above," Patchogue-Medford Superintendent Michael Hynes wrote on his Facebook page Wednesday evening. "Hard to put into words the impact you've had on me over the past few years...may you Rest In Peace you brave beautiful soul."

Dixon dreamed of being a police detective, and on his 16th birthday in August, he was sworn in as a detective for a day with the Suffolk County Police Department.

"He learned a lot about the police department, but we also learned what Sean was all about," Suffolk Police Commissioner Tim Sini told ABC 7 at the time. "He's about hope, determination and he's certainly inspired the members of the department."

Dixon, who lost his right leg to cancer, loved skiing, mountain biking, baseball, and lacrosse, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his family.

The Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame Booster Club recently announced it was renaming its Hall of Fame Raider Courage Award to The Sean Patrick Dixon Hall of Fame Courage Award. The award is given to someone who has battled adversity with a never-quit attitude.

"Sean Patrick brought much joy and happiness to thousands who love and cherish their time with him," the nonprofit booster club posted on its Facebook page Wednesday. "He carried a torch as a champion and tied an entire community together like no one before him. We honor Sean Patrick today and will keep him in our hearts and minds forever."