This page is designed to include cases of recipients who received help from Living Legends. This page will be updated every time Living Legends made a difference in a Law Enforcement Officer and their families lives.
Eastpointe Officer Randy Diegel
Officer Randy Diegel was injured on duty by a drunk driver. Randy suffered multiple head injuries. Randy will be out of work for the most part of summer. A fundraiser was held for Randy on June 23, 2011, to help with medical bills. Living Legends was able to present Randy and his wife with a check to help defray the medical bills.
Retired Detroit Police Officer Australia Graves
Australia Graves suffers from prostate cancer, he had several nuclear medicine test done. Radiation, cat-scan, MRI and mammogram, just to name a few. The cancer had spread into his lower spine. Australia received more radiation treatments. Tumors were located in his spine. As a result of treatment and tests, bills began to accumulate. Living Legends was able to send Australia a check to help defray the cost of some of his medical bills. On Friday, November 26, 2010 Australia lost his battle with cancer. Our condolences goes out to the family & friends.
Officer Doug Strablow & Family
Officer Doug Strablow is an 18-year veteran of the Pontiac Police Department. Six months ago he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He has experienced a vast amount of chemo-therapy and other treatments in his struggle to beat the disease. Doug and his wife, Sue , have one daughter, age 13, At this time our prayers go out to the family in hopes of a speedy recovery.
Robert Jackson
Robert Jackson is the son of Roseville Officer Susan Payne. Robert was on vacation in Utah with his father. They were involved in a head on collision which claimed the life of Robert's father and critically injured him. After 5 weeks in the Utah hospital, Robert was air-lifted to U of M Hospital, where he is still recovering from his injuries. Living Legends is proud to send Susan Payne a check to help defray the cost of travel to Ann Arbor during her son rehabilitation and recovery.
Retired Utica Police Sgt. Russull C. Reiterman
Russ and Linda had to adopt their own daughters 4 kids as their own due to family circumstances. At least 2 of these kids are special needs kids. Linda Rieterman has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and is in hospice at home. Russ is also in failing health and almost passed away 2 months ago. they are the love of each others life and the only true parents to their adopted grandkids.
As typical with Russ he wants nothing for himself but needs more space in his cramped home for the kids. He wants to convert his garage to a family room with a second bathroom to make it more comfortable for the kids. One Sunday, May 3, 2009, there was a fundraiser for Russ and Living Legends was able to present a check to Russ to help him with his project.
Dewitt Twp. Officer William Darnell
In Nov. of 2008 Officer Bill Darnell backed up one of our Dewitt City PD Officers on a Domestic situation. Officer Darnell was ambushed by the estranged husband and shot through the face. Subsequently the assailant was shot and killed by our Officer. Officer Darnell has had surgery and will need continued health care and speech therepy for quite some time to come before being able to return to work.
How Can Living Legends Help You Financially. Officer Darnell has two young children who had cancer and one of them still has special needs.
UPDATE: As stated Officer Darnell continues to have medical/rehab issues. Officer William Darnell is continuing to make an excellent and steady recovery. He is now home and can drive on his own now. He has just been given the green light to begin eating some soft, solid foods. Bill will undergo speech therepy now that the plates are out of his mouth, and he still has a few surgaries coming up - both dental and one cheekbone graft. Doctors feel that he may be able to return to work this Fall, but Bill is optimistic that this could be sooner!
February of 2009, Living Legends was able to send Officer Darnell a check to help defray the cost of current expenses.
Bloomfield Twp. Police Detective David Madill
On November 21, 2008 the Executive Board presented a $500 check to Mary Jean Madill, wife of retired Bloomfield Twp. Police Detective David Madill, to assist with his treatments for Non Hodgkins Lymphoma at the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.
Keller Family (Keith, Tracy and Korey)
On Thursday, March 27, 2008, friends, co-workers and family held a fundraiser on Detroit's west side, for the Keller Family. Keith Keller is an active Detroit Police Officer at Central District. Parents, Keith and Tracy has a 2 1/2 year old son (Korey), who is suffering from Leaky Gut Syndrome and is Autistic. Korey also has severe food allergies. Korey is in need of Hyperbaric Chamber treatments, on which their insurance does not cover the treatments. The Hyperbaric Chamber is expensive and Korey needs 40 - 60 treatment sessions. Living Legend's Board Members, Donna Wudyka, President and Sharon Hempel, Vice-President attended the fundraiser and presented a check from Living Legends to the Keller Family.
Disabled Retired Detroit Police Officer Lloyd Michael Todd:
Officer Todd was a victim of an ambush. In 1998, Officer Todd was following a suspect's van wanted for a kidnapping. Without warning, shots were fired from the back window of the vehicle. Officer Todd was shot in the right eye. Officer Todd suffered a life changing injury which has caused him limited mobility. After an interview with Officer Todd, his wish was to have a power chair. Officer Todd wanted to be able to go outside and play with his son, without the fear of falling. On January 21, 2008, Living Legends along with Binson's Home Health Care Center of Centerline was able to grant Officer Todd's wish and provided him with a power chair. Now Officer Todd can enjoy the simple things that we take for granted. In addition, Binson's provided Officer Todd with a ramp for his vehicle. Thank You Binson!
