In 2002, Samborski was promoted to a Parking and Code Enforcement (PACE) officer, where he worked with Eldon Evans, the current supervisor of PACE. Evans said Samborski’s death has strengthened the bond between those in the department who knew Samborski.

“It’s sort of brought us closer together,” he said. “As individuals, we all deal with things, but when something is on common ground, with a person we all know … It brought us closer with that same feeling of disbelief and feeling sad about (losing) a person.”

East Lansing police Sgt. Scott Wrigglesworth interviewed Samborski before he was hired at East Lansing. Wrigglesworth said he quickly saw what kind of officer Samborski would become.

“He exemplified what we want as an employee … He was a big part of our family for four years,” Wrigglesworth said.

Even after being away from East Lansing for four years, the outpouring of support at Samborski’s funeral by former ELPD co-workers — especially for his wife and 13-month-old daughter — said a lot about his impact among people who knew him, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said.

“The funeral was inspiring to see so much support,” Wibert said.

Wibert said Samborski had a great sense of humor and an unparalleled work ethic. He was always volunteering to do extra things such as being involved with the police athletic league and fundraising activities, Wibert said.

Samborski will be posthumously awarded the third award for valor in ELPD history at the police awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday in the East Lansing High School auditorium.

Evans said he will be proud to see Wibert give Samborski’s family the award.

“It says a lot about a person when the head of our department feels so strongly about him that he is given that award,” Evans said.