LANSING, Mich. — Lansing Community College will honor one of its own. Mid-Michigan Police Academy graduate and Dewitt Township Police Sergeant Bill Darnell has passed away due to complications from coronavirus.
“It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our graduates,” said Tim Baker Director Public Service Careers/Interim Associate Dean Technical Careers. “Bill was a graduate of the 71st Mid-Michigan Police Academy and he exemplified the true warrior spirit and was committed to the motto, To Serve and Protect.”
In November of 2008, then Officer Darnell, was called to serve and protect a citizen of Dewitt. This encounter resulted in him being shot several times. Officer Darnell’s inner warrior spirit and training pulled him through and he was able to return fire striking and fatally wounding the suspect. “I wasn’t ready to give up,” Darnell had stated. “Every day, I strap on that vest and uniform, knowing there’s that possibility I could be shot. You play the odds – the odds are in your favor that it will never happen – but it happened and I stayed in the fight. I was injured and did what I had to do,” Darnell was quoted.
LCC will honor Sgt. Darnell by lighting the Granger Clock Tower on the Downtown Campus and the Dome at West Campus blue beginning at dusk Thursday, Nov. 12 until dusk Friday, Nov. 13.
The Mid-Michigan Police Academy will honor Sgt. Darnell by adding a plaque to the Thin Blue Line Memorial at West Campus, signifying his End of Watch.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to those who wear the badge,” said LCC President Dr. Steve Robinson. “LCC is honored to commemorate Sgt. Darnell’s selfless acts of courage, dedication and strength. Our public servants put their lives on the line to enforce our laws and protect our communities with no thought of risk to their own personal peril. Our remembrance of his sacrifice is dim in comparison to his commitment.”
Rest in Peace Sir. The Mid-Michigan Police Academy will continue to carry on and train the warrior spirit of never giving up.
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
