Update: Since we first reported this story, Mr. Evans passed away.

BARTLETT, Tenn. — Sometimes it takes a co-worker to leave for a while before you really appreciate them.

That was the case in Bartlett, where the police department would give anything  to have their go-to fix-it guy back on the job.

Although it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, no one’s about to skip an opportunity to let him know how much he’s missed.

Bartlett SWAT team officers Brandon Thornton and Nick Brugal want to Pass It On to Morris Evans, the man who, for five years, they’ve trusted to fix whatever broke.

“Here at the department, we have a lot of equipment that we use. It takes a lot to keep it up and running, and Morris’s job was to keep that equipment maintained for us.”

Morris was always on top if it.

“He was involved with all the officers. He knew your equipment, your name. He knew what car you drove. He knew what radio was yours just because he built that type of relationship with everyone here.”

Then this past January came a terminal diagnosis, and Morris never came back to work.

“Diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Also had a stroke. It’s been pretty bad since then. Really want to help him out as much as we can.”

Morris is now at home, bed-ridden and receiving hospice care.

One top of the $600 from WREG and an anonymous Collierville couple, the officers contribute another $400.

When we arrived at Morris’s house, his wife of 29 years, Therese, answered the door.

We were greeted by her family, including her son and some other officers who helped us Pass It On.

Richard: “We’re just here to surprise you a little bit…Thanks to officers your husband has worked with, OK? So I’m going to let them take over from here.”

Officer Thornton told Therese how the money came together, and then totaled it up for her.

There were hugs all around, and then Therese invited everyone into their room to meet Morris

Although unable to talk, Morris was clearly grateful as the guys cracked a couple jokes with their friend.

Then it was time to say a difficult goodbye. Difficult, but worth it.

“It was awesome to help the family. It means so much to us to help people. That’s why we do the job, and when we can help out one of our own, it means even more.”

Morris may never have worn a badge, but Therese says he always felt like he belonged.

“He came home talking about it every day. Talking about the police officers and how wonderful they are, great guys to work with and stuff. So he really misses them,” she said.

After we left, another $200 or so trickled in from other officers.