On this Grand Week, The Grand on Central features Friday’s road drive for a La Follette Officer

‘People rolled down their windows, getting wet, to donate to Mike’s cause’- LPD Chief Steve Wallen

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Friday’s bone chilling day with temps in the 30s and a cold rain falling did not deter upwards of 15 City of La Follette employees and friends of the City as well as the business owners and the community as a whole to come out in support of La Follette Police Sergeant Mike Satkowski. The sarge is in another battle with cancer.

TOP PHOTO: La Follette Police Officers, other City employees and friends of the City braved the cold rain on Friday to collect money for cancer patient La Follette Police Sergeant Mike Satkowski.

“It was so touching to be standing beside a car and watch a driver go from getting ready to hand me a dollar to then digging deeper for a bigger donation once I told them what the cause was,” said La Follette Chief of Police Steve Wallen.

LPD Lt. Matthew Forsyth took a vacation day to support Sgt. Satkowski.

Satkowski, a single father, is dealing with Stage III lung cancer, according to Wallen. The chief goes on to say that Mike is on a very strong months long regimen of chemotherapy that’ll be followed surgery.

“Mike is such a great asset to our police force and the City. He’s been on staff here for many years and was most recently the day shift sergeant (6:30am-6:30pm),” said Chief Wallen.

City Commissioner Chuck Queener and Police Chief Steve Wallen (right).

All the officers and city employees who worked the street during Friday’s road drive were using their days off or even vacation time to help. “We had police officers, police clerks, council members and others who willingly gave of their time. All the support, these folks, and all those who donated monetarily, was simply overwhelming,” said Wallen.

Satkowski is on medical leave, and other officers are donating their sick time, because he’s going to be out a good while, according to the chief.

La Follette Police Officer Isiah Lloyd (left) and Captain Charles Duff support Sgt. Mike Satkowski.

Chief Wallen said La Follette is blessed to have such good people. “This is a brotherhood, a sisterhood that help each other. We’re a tight family and try to take care of each other,” said Wallen.

“From cup holders of change to big bills, it all added up to a very successful drive for Mike. It was a good day, and these donations will help him,” said Wallen.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobtertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

Below, take a visit through The Grand on Central.

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For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/04/2024-6AM-PAID AD)

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