Mortgages of late deputy, firefighter paid off by charity

PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The mortgages for two fallen first responders in Van Buren County have been paid off by a national nonprofit.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has made the gift to the families of Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputy James Lear and Paw Paw Fire Department Lieutenant Ethan Quillen.

Lear died due to COVID-19 complications in December 2021 after getting sick on the job, and Quillen died in February of this year when he came in contact with a downed power line during a storm.

Sheriff Daniel Abbott says he was “floored” when he learned of the gift.