Mason Samborski’s father Ken, his mother Joan and his brother Kurt stand for applause recognizing Mason’s service to the East Lansing Police Department.
Although he left the East Lansing Police Department in 2005, Mason Samborski had such an impact on his colleagues that, after his death three-and-a-half years later, he received the department’s highest award.
Samborski, a former ELPD cadet, posthumously received the third citation for valor in the department’s history at its annual awards ceremony Thursday.
Samborski, 28, was shot and killed in the line of duty Dec. 28 in Detroit while investigating a traffic stop.
Mason Samborski’s father, Ken Samborski, said the award, along with the outpouring of support from police departments, has comforted his family.
“I cannot tell you how good that makes myself and my wife and the rest of my family feel,” he said. “We’re sad to have lost Mason, but proud to be appreciated by this fine group.”
The award for valor was the final award of the ceremony, which was at East Lansing High School, 509 Burcham Drive.
Dan Purtill, the only living ELPD member to have received the citation for valor, presented Samborski’s father, mother and brother with the award as the audience watched, many of them through tear-clouded eyes.
East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said the award was given last because it was an extremely emotional moment.
“It would be hard to do something after it,” he said.
The department also renamed the Civilian of the Year award as the Mason Samborski Civilian of the Year award.
Wibert said officers in East Lansing grow close to people who work for the department, from administrators to cadets.
“I have memories of him helping us sell pop to raise money for the Police Athletic League,” he said. “At one fair, I remember the two of us trading seats in the dunk tank all day. It’s just those type things that build camaraderie.”
Ken Samborski said the relationship among Mason Samborski and his ELPD co-workers, along with the Oak Park Department of Public Safety officers he had worked with since leaving East Lansing, was a strong and special one for his son.
“Mason’s a very loving and loyal guy who goes out of his way to help, that’s what family does,” Ken Samborski said. “The family atmosphere among the ELPD and in Oak Park, and in law enforcement in general, fits well with someone like his character.”
Oak Park Public Safety Director John McNeilance said his department is still reeling.
“Everyone’s really affected by it,” McNeilance said.
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