Former Ottawa County Sheriff’s deputy battling cancer, fundraiser underway

OTTAWA COUNTY — Alan Conklin spent years serving his community as an Ottawa County deputy until a devastating crash caused by a drunk driver forced him into an early retirement. 

Now he’s facing another blow: Cancer. 

Conklin has been diagnosed with an invasive high-grade urothelial carcinoma. The diagnosis follows several recent hospitalizations for complications, including blood clots and severe weight loss, leaving the veteran deputy on a fixed disability income, struggling to manage mounting healthcare costs.

His daughter, Amanda Conklin-Fannon, is hoping a community fundraiser helps alleviate some of the financial burden as his family prepares for the next stage of treatment. As of Wednesday, April 1, $3,059 of the $5,500 goal had been raised. 

Conklin-Fannon detailed her father’s health issues on the fundraiser page. 

“In 2006, my dad was hit by a drunk driver. Doctors told our family he had only a 4 percent chance of surviving. Most people would not have made it through the night — but my dad did. He fought through devastating injuries, multiple surgeries, and a life that would never be the same again,” she wrote. 

Conklin-Fannon says in a heartfelt letter on the fundraising page that doctors are currently working to stabilize Conklin’s condition with a feeding tube, with the goal of regaining enough physical strength to begin chemotherapy. 

Funds from the campaign are designated for hospital expenses, nutritional support and transportation as the former deputy — who once dedicated his life to protecting the public — fights a second "unimaginable battle" for his health, she says in her letter.

The donations will assist Conklin with the following expenses: 

• Medical bills and hospital expenses
• Feeding tube supplies and nutritional support
• Transportation to treatments and appointments
• Prescription medications
• Basic living expenses 

Meanwhile, Ottawa County law enforcement is rallying behind him. Former sheriff Gary Rosema, who hired Conklin many years ago, described him as a “fighter.” 

“At the time when Ottawa County took over the policing services for the City of Coopersville, I got to know Al Conklin and understood his interests in the city and his relationship he had with members of the then Coopersville Police staff. He also developed working relationships with the members of the Sheriff’s Office who worked the Northeast quadrant of the county,” Rosema said. “Those deputies would eventually be serving the residents of Coopersville, along with city staff transferring their employment to Ottawa County.”

In 1998, Rosema hired Conklin as an Ottawa County corrections officer. 

“Deputy Alan Conklin quickly excelled as a quality employee at a time when we were expanding our correctional services to our Fillmore Complex. Al’s professionalism was always on display and he, like many, put service first no matter what their assignment was in the department,” he said.

Rosema said he recalls Conklin wanting to return to duty following his crash. 

“These are always difficult situations and now his latest diagnosis,” he said. “We already know Al is a fighter and wish him and his family the best.”

Ottawa County Sheriff Eric DeBoer said his department “stands with him” as well.

“Alan Conklin has always exemplified true resilience and selfless service,” DeBoer said.

“Now, facing a diagnosis of kidney cancer, he’s once again showing the courage and determination that have defined his life. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office stands with him, his family, and the countless brothers and sisters in law enforcement who are supporting him through this fight.”

For more information or to donate funds, visit the GoFundMe page, where Conklin-Fannon can be messaged directly. 

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.