Archive: Around Town

Ithaca Police Officer Colin Hayward Toland's remains were escorted Tuesday from Syracuse Hancock Airport to Lansing Funeral Home by numerous police and other emergency vehicles.  Toland, 10, passed away Saturday at Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital after a battle with brain cancer.  The van carrying his remains was escorted by at least 50 emergency vehicles, and met by a police honor guard lining the funeral home driveway with American flags.

'Sergeant Colin' was the youngest member of the Ithaca Police Force.  When former Ithaca Police Force chief of police John Barber met Officer Colin at the IPD Community Barbecue in 2016 the youngster told him his greatest wish was to become a police officer.  That September Barber, Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick, and several Ithaca Police officers swore Colin in as an honorary officer.  In November 2017 he was promoted to Sergent.  Earlier this month, while being treated at Saint Jude's, the Memphis, TN Police Department surprised him with a promotion to Lieutenant.

Officer Colin's experience as a police officer, as well as his difficult medical journey was chronicled on his Facebook page.  He attended police events and briefings, and rode on patrol with his partner, Officer Condzella.  He made his first arrest in December of 2016 when he arrested the Grinch for stealing toys.  Testifying at the Grinch's arraignment, he said he believed there was hope for the Grinch.  In November of 2016 he was named Kiwanis Officer of the Month. 


He was diagnosed at age 2 with anaplastic ependymoma, and then, after years in remission, was diagnosed again three years ago.  He was also named Honorary Chief of the Orange county Police department, and held a number of other honorary emergency responder titles.  A number of his Ithaca police colleagues visited him in Memphis last week.

Officer Colin served as an inspiration to thousands with his message of wanting to help others.  The week before he died he sent a thank you letter to the Memphis neurosurgeon who performed his last two resections.  Thanking the doctor for saving his life, he wrote, "Never give up when you are helping others."

Calling hours and a community gathering have been announced at Ithaca High School today (March 23) from 4:30pm to 8:30pm.

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