Fundraising gala supports scholarship in officer’s memory

FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - Gathering to honor the life and legacy of a late police officer.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation held a special fundraising gala to honor Douglas T. Akers and endow a memorial scholarship in his name. Akers joined the Findlay Police Department in 1991 and served until his passing in 2018, when his life was tragically cut short by suicide. He was named Officer of the Year in 2012 and was a dedicated member of Findlay FOP Lodge 20. All proceeds from the gala will go directly to the scholarship, which will support a graduate of a Hancock County school who is the child of a law enforcement officer or first responder. The scholarship will continue to assist future graduates, ensuring that Akers' legacy as a police officer and a good person lives on.

"Being able to do this tonight hits me both personally and professionally. Professionally, my job is to support law enforcement in Hancock County and increase their positive interaction with youth. I'm able to support all of Doug's friends and his colleagues tonight by giving them a place to be together and remember their friend. I'm able to increase positive interaction with youth and law enforcement by giving out a scholarship to the children of law enforcement officers in Hancock County. And personally tonight, I'm able to fulfill a promise that I made six years ago, and that means more to me than anything," said Teresa White, Development Director of Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 and Foundation. 

"It's overwhelming to me. There are people here that I don't know that are supporting him, my family, my extended family; this community has touched our hearts in ways that I didn't know was possible, but I reflect it all back on who my husband was and how he touched this community and the service that he gave for 27 years," said Vaune Akers, Douglas' wife.

If you would like to support or become a member of the Fort Findlay FOP, you can visit their website.