Hawthorne kept his end of the bargain, and so did Argueta.

An 11-year police veteran, Argueta died at 7:25 p.m. Thursday at home in the arms of his family, said his younger brother, Daniel Argueta. He died of respiratory failure brought on by the esophageal cancer that had spread to his lungs and liver.

"He felt very sick, and you could tell it just wasn't looking good," said Luis Argueta, Jose's older brother.

Family members and friends said Jose Argueta slept a lot in his last days but continued to joke and laugh until the end.

"He lived life to the very last breath," said Daniel Argueta.

Jose Argueta - who believed his job may have caused his cancer - started his law enforcement career in 1995 as a patrol officer with the Midvale Police Department. From 1998 to 2000, he was in the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and helped close five to 10 methamphetamine labs a month. He then returned to Midvale as a motorcycle cop before becoming a homicide detective and SWAT team leader. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2005.

On Friday, the flags in front of the Midvale police and fire departments flew at half-staff for Argueta. Midvale police assistant chief Tony Mason described the atmosphere at his department as somber and quiet. He sent e-mails to his staff on Thursday announcing Argueta's death.

"He was like one of my kids," Mason said. "He fought this thing so hard right to the end. I've never seen so much courage."

In an interview in April with The Tribune, Jose Argueta said he believed he had gotten cancer from working too closely for too long with poisonous methamphetamine chemicals. This notion disturbs his older brother, Luis, an officer for the Murray Police Department. It was he who inspired Jose to join law enforcement.

"It's devastating, and it's tearing me apart inside," Luis said Friday.

As Jose Argueta lay dying Thursday, his brother Daniel kissed him on the cheek. But Jose kept wiping the kisses away. He would only let women kiss him.

"He had that good spirit up until he died," Hawthorne said.

Luis went on to describe Jose as fearless and brave.

"He really loved life and everything around him," Hawthorne added.

A viewing for Jose Argueta will be Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jenkins Soffe Mortuary, at 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway. A memorial service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Hillcrest High School. He will be buried in Murray City Cemetery.

jbergreen@sltrib.com