La Follette Police Sergeant Mike Satkowski passes

TOP PHOTO: Fellow officers and co-workers spent a rainy, cold March day collecting monetary donations for Sgt. Mike Satkowski.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- La Follette Police posted on its Facebook page that Sgt. Mike Satkowski passed away late Tuesday afternoon after an extended battle with cancer.

On the first of March, members of the police force and staff came out on a cold, rainy day to show support for the sergeant holding a road drive. Below is that story that sums up Satkowski and how his fellow officers and co-workers felt about him. (PHOTO-GRAPHIC COURTESY OF LPD)

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF FROM MARCH 03, 2024) – 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.

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.

Fellow officers came out in full force for Sgt. Mike Satkowski like Sgt. Isiah Lloyd.

“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. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/23/2024-7AM)

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