Donald remembered as beloved friend, impactful officer

PERKINS TWP. — Many people attended an event to honor a beloved friend, respected police officer and, simply, a missed man. The annual memorial event for Vince Donald took place on Wednesday at Strickfaden Park in the Perkins Township area. "Please join us to remember and reflect on the positive legacy that Chief Donald had on our community and the profession of law enforcement," according to a township statement. Among the event's highlights: • Tim Coleman, a township trustee, read a proclamation aloud to share some of Donald's accomplishments and triumphs in life. • Jim Lang, another trustee, and Gary Boyle, the township's administrator, spoke about Donald's long-lasting impact on community members and the area's law enforcement operations. • Gesswho Tacos served food and donated all proceeds to Perkins' Fraternal Order of Police chapter. In 2022, Perkins Township trustees declared the day, July 16, in his memory. On July 16, 2020, he became the township's police chief. Donald, a longtime Perkins police officer, unexpectedly died on Sept. 23, 2022. He was 48. During his chief's swearing-in ceremony, 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, where Chief Vince Donald Day has occurred and will occur from. Proclaiming his greatness For Chief Vince Donald Day, Perkins Township printed out a proclamation they originally introduced in late 2022 when first declaring this day. It reads in part: • "Vincent G. Donald graduated from Sandusky High School in 1992 and subsequently graduated from the Sandusky Police Academy." • "Vincent Donald was hired as an auxiliary police officer by Perkins Township in 1994." • "Vince Donald was hired as a patrol officer by the township in 1996." • "Vince Donald's commitment and dedication to the policing profession and the public led to promotions through all ranks from patrol officer to sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief, interim chief and chief of police." • "Vince Donald was sworn in as chief of police on July 16, 2020, and faithfully served our community until his end of watch on Sept. 23, 2022." • "Chief Donald leaves a legacy as an outstanding chief of police that cared deeply for the officers under his watch and the community that he faithfully served and loved." • "Chief Donald will always be missed by his longtime girlfriend, Amanda Adler; his daughter, Jaiden Borzon; his family; friends; co-workers; as well as all of his brothers and sisters in blue, and he will continue to be held closely in their memory." • "Therefore, we, the Perkins Township board of trustees, on behalf of the citizens of Perkins Township, recognize, appreciate and remember the important role that Chief Donald played in our community and proclaim July 16th as Chief Vince Donald Day as a day to always remember and reflect on the positive legacy that Chief Vince Donald has had on our community and the profession of law enforcement."