Nason Lane, from Malden, was awarded the inaugural Southeast Missouri Football Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship.
The SEMO football program will provide Lane with a need-based scholarship amount up to $6,500. Lane received a surprise visit from Redhawks Head Coach Tom Matukewicz, outside linebacker Omardrick Douglas, Rowdy the Redhawk and others at his place of employment -- Weaver Popcorn – earlier this week.
Lane expressed his appreciation for the scholarship and said he has always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Lane will be leaving his job of three years to enroll in the SEMO Law Enforcement Academy. At 28 years old, he is married with five-year old twin boys. Lane initially decided to put his dream of becoming a police officer on hold in order to work a full-time job so his wife, Jessica, could attend college as a full-time student.
Lane said he plans to drive back and forth from Cape Girardeau to ensure his family is settled, while assisting with any calls from the Malden Fire Department where he also serves as a volunteer firefighter.
On October 10, the Redhawks and Cape Girardeau Police Department held a car wash. Through that effort, they raised over $13,000, enough money to benefit not only the One City Minority Police Academy Scholarship Fund, but also establish their own scholarship to the SEMO Law Enforcement Academy. Lane's scholarship will go into effect in January 2021.
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