BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) -- A former police officer with the Bradenton Police Department has died.

Officer John Thomas died following medical complications, according to the Bradenton Police Department. He was 63.

He joined the department in 1987 after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, the department said. He was a SWAT Team member, hostage negotiator, and field training officer.

"He spent many years as a detective and, according to those who worked with him, was among the best they've worked with," the department said in a statement.