RICHMOND, R.I. (WPRI) — Richmond Police Sergeant Michael Lawing was a regular at Town Pizza II.

So when he was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in late September, general manager Charlotte Currie said it was a no-brainer to organize a fundraiser to offset his medical expenses.

“He was just always happy,” Currie said. “He would come in and always have a big smile on his face … the staff always loved him.”

Lawing, a 23-year veteran of the force and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, succumbed to the illness over the weekend at Yale New Haven Hospital. A GoFundMe page set up prior to his death has already raised nearly $30,000.

Currie told 12 News that the fundraiser is now raising money for Lawing’s wife Caitlyn and 6-year-old son Grayson. The restaurant is donating 100% of proceeds made between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

“It broke my heart,” Currie said. “Just over the weekend I was putting up fliers for the fundraiser and certainly didn’t expect for him to be gone [the next day].”

“It’s just a shame that we’re losing him at such a young age,” she continued. “[But] this is all we can do now … and we want the community to help.

Lawing launched the town’s first-ever K-9 program in 2018 after securing the funding to do so, and was also instrumental in implementing the body-worn camera program over the past two years, according to the Richmond Police Department.

“He was truly one of the most talented police officers we’ve had the pleasure of working with,” the police department wrote in a social media post . “Intelligent, capable and witty, he could always make you laugh when you needed it most.”

In addition to his police service, Lawing was a volunteer firefighter with the Richmond-Carolina Fire Department , where he previously held the rank of lieutenant.

Lawing’s services have not yet been announced.

Jake Holter contributed to this report.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.