LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Lubbock Police Chief Seth Herman is in complete remission after undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of lymphoma, his medical team announced.
Herman was first diagnosed with low-grade follicular lymphoma in 2016. The cancer remained dormant for years until it transformed into a more aggressive type last October, requiring treatment with five different drugs administered every three weeks.
“It was always my greatest fear, ever since childhood,” said Herman, who lost two grandparents to cancer.
From diagnosis to treatment
Rhonda Greco, a nurse practitioner at Joe Arrington Cancer Center who has monitored Herman since his diagnosis, said a recent PET scan showed complete remission after six cycles of treatment.
“Chief Herman was diagnosed with a type of low-grade follicular lymphoma back in 2016, and it can just lay dormant and not cause any problems for years,” Greco said.
Herman said he can trace his symptoms back to 2010, including fatigue and lumps on his neck that initially appeared allergy-related.
“What I would tell people is that feeling of fatigue, lymph node swelling, those are clear-cut signs that you probably need to go a little further and dig a little deeper,” Herman said.
Living with cancer
The treatment caused Herman to lose his hair and mustache, a visible change for the public figure known for promoting safety and community events.
“I’ve saved a lot of money on hair products and shampoos,” Herman said.
Herman said he will always have cancer and will need regular monitoring for the rest of his life.
“My first oncologist said, look, this is a terminal disease but that means you’re going to likely die with it but not necessarily from it,” Herman said. “He said look, if this doesn’t work, we got something else we can do.”
Herman continues to work out and maintain his duties as police chief while undergoing monitoring.
“It really alters how you do things, but it doesn’t have to alter what you do,” Herman said. “You may have been dealt the card, but it doesn’t mean that it’s the last hand. You just keep moving forward.”
Greco said Herman’s hair and mustache will grow back.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.