HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – A Highland Park police officer who has spent decades serving others is now in need for himself.
Sgt. Veronica Couch has known officer Eric Clayton for the seven years he’s been with the department. She also knows his story: before being an officer, he was a fireman and is a Vietnam War veteran.
“He’s a wonderful person, a wonderful person,” Couch said.
Last month, Clayton had a stroke, an aneurysm, went into kidney failure, and was briefly put on life support.
He works part time, so he has no medical benefits -- placing financial and emotional burdens on his wife and children.
“(He’s a) great dude, you won’t find a better person than Clayton. Go around the City asking, people will say the same thing I’m telling you,” Fire Chief Kevin Coney said. “If I could take his place, I would sit there, I really would. That’s how much I care about him.”
The departments are coming together to host a fundraiser Tuesday for Clayton.
“Right now he can’t help his family, so we should, because we are family,” Couch said.
The fundraiser is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Harry’s Detroit, 2482 Clifford Street.
A $10 donation is requested.
Happy hour prices on drinks and appetizers will run the duration of the fundraiser, and there will be raffles and prizes.
For those who cannot make the fundraiser, there is an online fund here.