Flags are at half-staff and bunting hung at the Stamford Police Department following the death of a veteran decorated officer who impacted so many in the community. Doug Robinson, 60, died Wednesday night from stage 4 parotid gland cancer, following a three-year fight.

Robinson joined the department in 1989 as a patrol officer, then spent several years in the Narcotics Unit before becoming a school resource officer. His most recent assignment was with the Special Investigations Juvenile Matters Unit.

"There's very few people who wore the badge as proudly as he did," Chief Tim Shaw told News 12. Shaw started at the department a year before Robinson and spent several years working closely with him in the Narcotics Unit. He said it's impossible to list all the awards and recognitions Robinson received.

"A dynamite guy. Jovial, phenomenal investigator, just the whole package," Shaw said.

Assistant Chief Silas Redd has also known Robinson since the start of Robinson's career. Redd said he always did the job with dignity and respect.

"The first thought that comes to mind about Dougie is loyalty—an extremely loyal individual, someone that you could always count on," Redd shared.

"He just had that type of personality that people just gravitated towards," added Sgt. Wayne Scutari. Scutari said he and Robinson became fast friends while working in the Narcotics Unit, where Robinson was also known as a jokester. "That was one of his many hats that he wore. He kept the levity in the squad."

Beloved throughout the police force, there is now a void left in the wake of Robinson's death—one that extends beyond the department. Robinson coached the Stamford-Westhill high school co-op hockey team for 23 years, something he was passionate about.

"Years after the kids he mentored graduated, they'd still reach out to him and stop by to see him," Scutari noted as he reflected on Robinson's immense impact in the city.

"He grew up in the community. He did a lot for the community, and he loved working with the kids in hockey," said officer Felix Martinez, who had worked beside Robinson since 1999.

Martinez told News 12 Robinson kept a positive outlook when he was diagnosed with cancer and never gave up. That was reiterated by several people Thursday.

"Kept coming to work. Kept coaching. That's who he was even while he was sick. Special guy," Scutari told News 12, holding back tears. "It's always tough at the end, but he kept fighting and fighting and fighting."

And Robinson never wanted people to feel sorry for him, according to Martinez. "That was Doug. He was more concerned about you than his own self."

Redd said Robinson had an unwavering faith that helped him battle to the bitter end. So did the love and strength from his wife and three kids.

"I would be remiss if I didn't say what a dedicated family man he was," Redd added.

"They're a great bunch. They're tight knit, so we shed tears with them," said Shaw.