In memory: Vince Donald, the people's police chief

PERKINS TWP. — Vince Donald, a 1992 Sandusky High School graduate and a longtime Perkins police officer who became the department's chief in 2020, unexpectedly died on Friday. He was 48. "It is with great sorrow that Perkins Township is announcing the untimely death of our police chief, Vince Donald," according to a post on the township's police Facebook page from late Friday. The post indicates he passed away from "what appears to be of natural causes." Donald leaves behind a daughter, Jaiden Borzon, and longtime significant other, Amanda Adler, as well as many siblings and other family members. As of late Sunday, no information about a funeral or possible procession has been publicized. Rising through the ranks Donald spent his entire law enforcement career with Perkins Township. Among the positions he's served: • 1996: became a full-time law enforcement officer • 2002: promoted to sergeant • 2011: promoted to lieutenant • 2017: promoted to assistant chief • 2020: promoted to chief In July 2020, when ascending to Perkins' top police position, about 300 people — family members, friends, loved ones, regional law enforcement officials, past and present co-workers, among many others — attended the ceremony at Strickfaden Park. Donald spoke after the three township trustees unanimously promoted him from Perkins' assistant chief. "I appreciate the board for having faith in me," an emotional Donald said two-plus years ago. "I appreciate the community for having faith in me." When Donald initially became a full-time township police officer in 1996, he never imagined becoming the department's top cop. But three former colleagues, in particular — his direct predecessors, former chiefs Ken Klamar and Robb Parthemore along with Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton — convinced Donald he could achieve greatness in a leadership role. Donald also expressed his gratitude to family members — specifically Adler and Borzon — for their patience and understanding as he missed out on many special moments, always placing his police career first. "Someone had to do it, and I was willing to do it. I was driven to do it," Donald said. "That is why I truly believe I am here today all because of my dedication for Perkins Township." Donald then turned his attention to the Perkins police force: officers who "work with, and not for, him." "We all do this job together," Donald said. "The officers and the supervisors we have will be able to do great things. The department is in a good place. It's not that we have to fix anything. We just have to continue to be better and move forward, and we have the guys and girls that can do it. I have faith in every single one of them." During his 10-minute address, Donald needed to pause several times as he kept receiving standing ovations from audience members. "I appreciate every single one of you," Donald said to those in the crowd. "I didn't grow up in Perkins, but Perkins gave me my job and my passion. Everything I do, I do it for Perkins Township." A commitment to community policing Earlier this year, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Law Enforcement Foundation named the Perkins Police Department as its agency of the month for February 2022. It's among Donald's proudest career accomplishments. "The award is presented to an Ohio agency for outstanding community engagement," according to an event statement. "Donald and his staff have built a solid foundation of supporting their community with a variety of outreach ideas and programs," the statement read. Among some events highlighted in the nomination packet include Perkins police's Easter egg hunt, school functions and fundraisers and donation drives during Christmastime — all events created and/or supported by Donald centered on building trust with community members "Throughout the year, the agency has provided different community policing strategies to reach different age groups," the statement read. "Through this end, their programs seem to have linked together exactly what community policing is all about. They have joined their agency with their community by stepping up and providing quality programs to open dialogue." Donald took great satisfaction in accepting this award. "Our department prides itself on our community involvement and policing efforts," Donald said. "I am very proud of our department and all of our officers for earning this prestigious award." Another notable moment in Donald's professional also occurred earlier this year, in May, when he completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Command Course in Stafford, Virginia. Donald attended the weeklong program focusing on leadership topics, such as media communications, futures of law enforcement, preventing targeted violence, body-worn cameras, officer fitness and wellness, weapons and ballistics and legal matters. The training was established to build and enhance relationships with the bureau's law enforcement partners with a sworn staff of under 50 personnel. Throughout his law enforcement career, Donald always wanted to gain knowledge to become a better police officer. Giving back Donald enjoyed organizing community events, like Trunk-or-Treat, in which dress-up kids in Halloween costumes could go out trick-or-treating in a safe space. But he truly appreciated the ones giving back to lesser-fortunate residents, such as the Shop with a Hero event. This event pairs area students in need with township-employed police officers and firefighters. Together they go shopping for toys at local stores. The initiative also doubled as a food drive for underprivileged families. He also helped coordinate the annual Motor Madness Car & Bike Show. In 2021, the department assisted in raising $3,000 going back to scholarship funds. Donald and his force donated to many causes because, to him, community came first and underscores the notion of "community policing." Along with his staff, Donald worked closely with Erie County children services on a multitude of cases. As a father, Donald understood the importance of ensuring children remained out of harm's way and in the custody of people who would protect them. No matter the initiative, Donald always received full buy-in from his force, which allowed him, and them, to continue putting on these types of community-driven activities. "I want to commend the men and women that work at the Perkins Township Police Department," Donald wrote in a column for the Register in January. "They are dedicated to providing the highest quality of service to the residents and visitors of Perkins Township, and I am proud to be their chief." Donald's last act as a police chief occurred just hours before his death, on Friday, when he passed out candy to children and families during Perkins High School's homecoming festivities. In mourning Over the weekend, hundreds of people posted condolences and memories of Donald. Here's just a sample of the many messages made: • Katie Coy: I'm so heartbroken over this. Vince, my buddy, I can't even begin to wrap my mind around this. I'm going to miss this man. He was such a good guy. • Kevin Armbruster: The chief was well respected, and I was lucky to have met him. RIP. • Deb Briggs: Rest in peace, Chief. Thoughts and prayers for all those that loved him. Proud of our PPD family. Vince would be proud of all of you tonight. • John Holzhauser: I graduated high school with Vince. One of the most stand-up guys you would ever meet. Great loss for the community. • Tone Fantozzi: One of the nicest members of law enforcement we ever interacted with. He was kind-hearted and a true class act. This news makes me sad. Condolences to his fellow officers, friends and especially his family. • Brandy Bennett: Truly an amazing human being. So incredibly thoughtful and caring. This is heartbreaking. • Shana Pohl Wainwright: What a great man and always there for the community. Praying for his family and your department. • Terri Fink Feyedelem: Such a terrible loss. What a great guy. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. • Sarah Lowery Reynolds: What a wonderful man. I am so saddened to hear this. • Angela Kay: Our hearts are broken. So very sad. An amazing man. You will be missed by so many. • Amanda Shaffer Ferris: He was one great man both in uniform and out. What a loss for the department and community. I hope you rest easy • Teresa Jarrett: RIP, Chief. What a great loss this will be to the township. He was such a kind man. Sympathies to his family and to his work family. • Matt Dugas: Chief, was a great man. What a loss for all, I have known him briefly but always appreciated his dedication to family and community. Prayers for the family, co-workers and his many friends. He will be missed. RIP, Chief. • Jessica Antonelli Fosco: Our hearts are broken. Vince Donald was one of the best. His family, friends and this community will miss him so much. • Rhonda Petersen: They don't make them like you anymore. Everyone has lost a great man. Rest easy, big fella. • Rich Gessner: I am so lost for words. I feel like someone put a dagger through my heart. I didn't just lose a best friend. I lost my brother. • Meridyth Gilhuly: He is definitely going to be missed. Such a great person. Prayers to his family, friends and his PPD family. • Tonya McCarley: He was like a second child to us when our children were growing up. This is a crushing blow to us and everyone who knew him. He was a great kid, a great father, a great man. God's blessings upon him, his family and his family in blue.