Deputy Eric Overall was a husband, a dad, and to some, a hero.
When Drew Clayborn learned that Deputy Overall died while trying to stop a chase early Thanksgiving morning at M-15 and Seymour Lake Road in Brandon Township, he was heartbroken.
- Oakland County Sheriff's deputy hit and killed during chase
- Sheriff's office says driver 'deliberately ran down' deputy, killing him
His smile was one known by many who went to Walled Lake Central, where for a time he was the school liaison officer.
“Everybody knew who he was and how impactful he was, as far as helping kids,” said Drew.
In 2012, Drew Clayborn had an accident while trying to do a backflip in the hall of his high school, Walled Lake Central.
When he landed, he hit his head and injured his spinal cord. Deputy Overall and a teacher worked together to give him CPR, saving his life and preventing brain damage. Now Drew is studying at the University of Michigan with the goal of doing medical research.
“I have been able to be here at U of M studying math and I am about to graduate next month. The fact that he is not going to be here to see me graduate is very sad,” said Drew.
“There is a big hole in a lot of lives tonight,” said Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff. “It is the worst thing that can happen to a law enforcement agency--to lose someone like this in the line of duty. Tragically and senselessly, quite frankly.”
Sheriff Bouchard says there are many stories about Deputy Overall’s great work
In 2013, he received a professional excellence citation for helping to solve the murder of a 4-month-old Brandon Township baby. He again was honored in 2015 for his work finding the person who made a terrorism threat against Brandon Community Schools.
Drew says his family tried to honor Deputy Overall for how he saved Drew’s life, but he didn’t want the attention.
“He was such an impact on everybody, but he didn’t want the spotlight,” said Drew.
He says he will live his life to the fullest, in honor of the man who saved him.
“It makes me motivated to keep doing what I am doing and take advantage of this opportunity I have been given” said Drew.
A GoFundMe account has been set up in Deputy Overall’s honor to help his family through this tough time. You can find it at https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-deputy-eric-overall.
