Community gives final goodbye to late Richmond police sergeant

RICHMOND, R.I. (WLNE) — Family, friends, and fellow officers gathered Monday to say their final goodbyes to the fallen Richmond Police Department Sergeant Michael Lawing.

A police procession made its way through town, ending at the Richmond-Carolina Fire District Station, where Lawing volunteered a lot of his time.

“We lost a friend, we lost a colleague, we lost a public servant,” Richmond police chief Elwood Johnson said.

Lawing died Oct. 20 after he battled a sudden and brief illness.

“Police officers put themselves in harm’s way for other people,” Johnson said. “Michael did that for 23 years.”

Lawing was a member of the Richmond Police Department since 2001 and was promoted to the role of sergeant in 2011.

He was also credited with starting the department’s K-9 and body camera programs.

“There was no task too great for him,” Johnson said. “He was really one of the smartest police officers I have ever met.”

Town Pizza II in Richmond hosted a fundraiser last week, which raised over $13,000 for the Lawing Family.

“It was overwhelming for people that were coming in and giving,” Town Pizza II Owner Kimon Dafoulas said. “It’s a small town, it’s not as big, everybody mostly knows each other.”

Lawing was a frequent customer at the pizza parlor.

“He always used to come in,” Dafoulas said. “He was a big, tall guy. He was all smiles every time he came in. We would talk and he would say is there anything we could do for you guys, just let us know.”

Donations for the Lawing family are still being accepted inside of the restaurant.