Watch CBS News

Lansing-Area Foundation Donating Toys In Honor Of Officer Who Died

DEWITT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Hundreds of toys will be distributed Tuesday in honor of a DeWitt Township police officer who died of COVID-19.
The toys were donated to DeWitt Township by the First Responders Children's Foundation, the Lansing State Journal reported.
Sgt. Bill Darnell died in November at a time when COVID-19 was having a major impact on the community of 15,000 people, north of Lansing. The DeWitt Township police department had to close for a week and get help from other police agencies because of the virus.
"We want to get these (toys) to kids and families who need them, who want them," said police Chief Mike Gute. "We just want to do a good thing in honor and memory of Bill."
Toys will be handed out from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the fire department. Gute informed Darnell's wife, Ella, about the toy donation Friday.
"It feels nice," Gute said, tearing up.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.