Matt Dillman’s boisterous sense of humor kept his team in the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s office in stitches as much as his skill, dedication and focus on his work helped keep them safer.

Dillman, 43, was as tough as he was loyal, and he battled his worst enemy with every ounce of courage he could muster.

In the end, on Sunday, surrounded by his family, pancreatic cancer stole his life.

But it can’t steal memories of him.

“He was full of life, full of fun. But when it came time to do his job, he did it, and he did it well,” said Sheriff Joseph G. Groody. “I’m going to miss him.”

Dillman, of Ringtown, was a 1998 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, and served in the U.S. Army, Pennsylvania National Guard; he earned a degree in elementary education from Alvernia University, and earned his associate degree in criminal justice from Lackawanna College, where he also received his municipal police officer training.

“I know Matt 20-plus years,” Groody said. “When I was a police officer in Ashland, Matt was hired. I was one of the first officers who helped train him.”

Dillman also worked for the Butler Township Police Department.

“Matt worked Mount Carmel (police department) for about 12 years, then was hired by Hegins. I hired him as a part time deputy in 2018,” Groody said.

Dillman powered through his illness as long as he could.

“He was still working here in December. Then he started getting sicker,” Groody said.

“He was conscientious. No task was too hard for Matt,” he said.

“Even with the cancer, he had such strong faith. He was going to fight that to the end, and he did,” Groody said. “Matt could do anything for you. He was president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 25 to the day he died.

“He’s going to be sadly missed. There’s going to be going to be a big void in my office here without him.”

Dillman leaves behind his wife Brandy, their daughter, Kennedy, and their dogs, Daisy and Lucky.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. today, at St. Mary’s Church, North Center Street, in Ringtown. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are asked to be made to Matt’s daughter’s college education fund, c/o Union National Bank, Mount Carmel, or by donating directly to his family.