(UPDATE 5:45 p.m.): Dozens of law enforcement officers came together to show support for one of their own who is fighting COVID-19 at a local hospital. But the officers weren’t the only ones there for the “pass-by parade.”
For just a few minutes, Michigan avenue was full of cheers, sirens and signs all to support Ethan Grant. A Detroit police officer of nearly 20 years, Grant has been at Sparrow Hospital for weeks battling the virus. At his side via Zoom was his wife Lisa, who is also recovering from the virus at home in Webberville.
“The nurses got ahold of me,” Grant tells 6 News, “and said, “Do you want us to Zoom call you, so that way you can see Ethan as this is going down?” I was like of course! Of course I want to see my husband and see his reaction like that.”
The couple started feeling symptoms within days of each other, despite taking precautions in their own home. Lisa has a compromised immune system, but Ethan’s symptoms ended up getting too severe for him to stay home.
“The most blood clots that they have ever seen in their life,” Lisa says, “in both sides of his lungs, and just massively fighting for his life.”
Slowly but surely, her husband recovered enough to go to the window of his hospital room and watch officers from Detroit and mid-Michigan gather on the street below his room.
“I’ve seen him at his worst, and today is at his best,” she says. “It meant so much to him for this, just so much love and support.”
The Grants are looking forward to their 32nd anniversary next week, and to healing together.
“We just know that we’re in this together forever. And 32 years is coming next week and we’re gonna be together for 32 more years because our love is that strong.”
A few people have asked 6 News how to send cards to the Grants as they recover. The couple does have a P.O. box set up for that purpose. You can send any mail to the following address: Ethan & Lisa Grant, PO Box 31, Webberville, MI 48892.
Lisa also says the officers circled around the hospital a second time, as a show of solidarity for all healthcare workers and first responders working on the front lines.
(UPDATE 2 p.m.): Ethan Grant is a Detroit police officer who has been battling COVID-19 for nearly a month. After the parade, we caught up with some of Grant’s colleagues from the Detroit Police Department about how this came together, and what’s keeping Grant motivated as he fights the virus.
“[It came together] with the assistance of Lansing PD, Lansing Fire Department,” says Officer James Loomin. “Great assistance for us, coming all the way from Detroit and just helping us pull this off and show support for Ethan.
“He’s married, he’s been married 32 years. He’s keeping his fingers crossed, his wife’s keeping her fingers crossed that he’s out of the hospital next week because it’s their 32nd anniversary next week.”
Lansing, MI (WLNS) -Downtown Lansing was lit up this morning by first responders from Lansing and Detroit holding a drive-by parade for a police officer in Sparrow Hospital.
It was a real team effort that brought together officers from so many different groups as well as friends of the officer staying in the hospital.
There were dozens of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances all driving in front of the hospital to support Detroit Police officer Ethan Grant.
He’s been at Sparrow for more than 20 days battling COVID-19.
Officers from Lansing Police, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Lansing Fire and other organizations got out to wave from the street and show Grant that they’re still thinking of him and always here to support him.
After the parade 6 News reporter Ashley Graham caught up with a man who’s known Ethan for years.
Eric Lime said seeing this all come together was incredibly emotional. “It was moving. I think it brought tears to peoples eyes. Obviously I can’t talk to Ethan right now. I’m sure he is very very moved and appreciative and people are thinking of him. It has to be very difficult to be up there, you know, your life is flashing in front of his eyes because he’s been very ill.”
Right after the parade some of the Detroit officers came up to the roof of the parking garage across the street.
