POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County Sheriff deputy is now learning to do things differently after losing two fingers in an explosion while responding to a disturbance call on Sunday, August 8.
Deputy Eric Lawes was called to a disturbance at Economy Motor Lodge in Dundee when he stopped a man on a bicycle with no lights.
During the stop, Deputy Lawes was injured when a homemade explosive device went off.
Officials said Lawes lost his pointer and middle finger on his left hand. While he is grateful to be alive and go home to his family, everything has changed.
A GoFundMe has been created to help Deputy Lawes and his family during this difficult time.
"Deputy Lawes is a loving husband and father of 3 beautiful children. He has been with the Sheriffs department for 7 years. Though home recovering, the future holds a lot of uncertainties. Deputy Lawes hopes to get back to doing what he loves serving the community, but nothing right now is certain," said the GoFundMe organizer.
If you would like to donate, tap here.
GoFundMe.com, or any other third-party online fundraiser, is not managed by Spectrum Bay News 9 or Spectrum News 13. For more information on how GoFundMe works and its rules, visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety.