D.C.-area news anchor Joe Krebs has died at 78 after a battle with cancer.  He was the morning anchor for NBC Washington for 18 years and was known for his pursuit and reporting of cold cases, reports WTOP.

Krebs joined WRC-TV in 1980 from WBAL-TV in Baltimore, and before that he was an assistant public affairs officer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and assistant prosecutor in St. Louis, NBC Washington reported.  He retired in 2012 after 18 years as morning anchor.

“Being a news broadcaster is what I always wanted to be,” Krebs told NBC Washington.

Krebs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four years ago and underwent treatment and procedure for the disease. He raised funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s PurpleStride walks.

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