A GoFundMe campaign, organized by the Welgat family for Kewanee Police Chief Nicholas Welgat, has raised over $26,000. Recently, the police chief made a public announcement on his social media page that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that has metastasized to the bones.
Welgat has served as the Kewanee Police Chief since 2020, but he began his career with the Kewanee Police Department when he joined in 2006. Welgat was integral in starting the Street Crimes Unit just two years later. In 2011, he joined the Black Hawk Task Force team and served for several years before returning to the SCU in 2015.
Welgat served in the military as a combat soldier and medic during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. He joined the Illinois National Guard Unit F202 ADA Battalion in 2002 and was deployed with the Galva unit attached to the First Cavalry Division for an 18-month tour in Iraq. For that tour, he received the Army’s Commendation Medal for Valor during combat in the Battle of the Holy Week in April of 2004. He also received the Combat Action Badge.
Welgat married “the love of his life” Shelly in October of 2005. The couple have four children, Colson, Ellie, Jarek and Maxson.
His GoFundMe page also reads: “Nicholas also served as an EMT on the Kewanee transport ambulance, was on the coaching staff for Kewanee High School football and basketball.”
This spring, Welgat began to experience some neck pain after playing racquetball. The pain was persistent and after the usual remedies for the next strain were exhausted, an x-ray of his cervical spine was ordered. The x-ray revealed a possible fracture. More tests led to several biopsies, and the Welgats received the devastating cancer diagnosis.
“Nicholas and Shelly have a huge uphill battle to fight, and we are hopeful that if we can come together and support this family who has done so much to support our community, we can help them through the most painful and difficult experience of their lives,” the GoFundMe page reads.
The funds raised will go directly to the Welgat family and will help offset uncovered and ongoing medical expenses, travel costs for treatments and appointments and daily living expenses. According to the gofundme page, the nature of Welgat’s treatments will require him to take an extended time off from his chief position.
“We would like to ease their financial burden and allow Shelly to take time off from her job as well in order to support her husband and spend as much time with him and their four children as possible,” the Welgat family wrote.
In 2014, Nicholas and Shelly Welgat founded the Nolan Keane Classic baseball tournament and the Nolan Keane Memorial Fund, which is used to help families of area youths cover medical costs associated with medical treatments. The organization has also provided children with items they may want, such as swingsets.
The GoFundMe page reads: “We are organizing this GoFundMe account for our brother, Nicholas Welgat. Nicholas is one of the strongest, most determined, loyal, dedicated, and generous men we know. There is nothing that he wouldn’t do for someone in need. His motto for his police officer family has always been ‘No matter what, be nice.’”
The family wrote that they are hopeful that the community can come together to support the Welgats. “More than anything, we need your prayers, good vibes and positive energy.”
More information about Welgat’s journey or updates can be found here.
