Veteran Monroe police captain needs kidney transplant

The Police Department in Monroe is holding fundraisers and trying to help with a kidney transplant for veteran Monroe Police Captain Mike Matthews. His doctors say Matthews, who has been on dialysis, will also need heart surgery.

From WSB TV…

A police department in Walton County is doing everything it can to help a longtime officer.

Monroe Police Captain Mike Matthews, 54, desperately needs a kidney transplant. Matthews has served the community for 25 years -- but now, he needs help in return.

Channel 2′s Berndt Peterson was in Monroe, where he talked to Matthews’ colleagues about the beloved officer’s impact on the community.

Chief R.V. Watts said Matthews’ name is known and respected in the community.

“His name is well-known in this community. It’s well-known to this department and this community,” Watts said. “I can’t say enough about what he means personally to me as a friend.”

“He’s like an example of what a heart on a badge would be,” Sgt. Shannon Haynes said, “just as much as you would a brother or a cousin. He’s a family member to us. We don’t want to lose him.”

Fellow officers want the community to know what Matthews is going through.

Matthews had Stage 4 kidney disease and a pacemaker installed in 2017.

This year, Matthews went home from work sick on May 12. When officers went to check on him the next day, he had to be rushed to the hospital. He’s been on kidney dialysis ever since and needs two kidney transplants, along with heart surgery.

The department set up a charity golf tournament to raise money along with a GoFundMe to help pay for Matthews’ medical bills.

Matthews is only a few months away from full retirement, but fellow officers want him to be healthy and able to enjoy it.

Mathews heart surgery is set for next week. Finding a donor for a kidney transplant can be quite difficult.

Anyone who wants to donate to help Matthews in his recovery can click HERE.

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