Outpouring of support at Robert McKeithen Memorial Blood Drive

There’s been an overwhelming outpouring of support for today’s first ever Robert McKeithen Memorial Blood Drive.

There's been an overwhelming- outpouring of support for - today's first-ever robert - mckeithen memorial blood- drive.- news 25's toni miles takes us - behind the scenes at the- blood drive honoring the biloxi- police officer who we - lost nearly one year and three- months ago - and shows us why - this community event means so - much to so many.- quick!- - biloxi police officer robert- mckeithen devoted most of his - life to public service-working- decades as a policeman.

- while his watch ended in the- early morning hours of may 5th,- 2019, his memory is not - forgotten and his legacy of - helping - others lives on - as evidenced- at this inaugural blood drive i- his - name.

- major larry murphy was one of - many law enforcement- officers from throughout our- area to roll up his sleeve and- give blood in honor of his- friend and long-time co-worker- on the midnight shift.- - - - major larry murphy, biloxi- police department: "one to support the cause.- two, donating blood is life.- you've got to have life.

You've- got to have the blood to keep - other people alive.

I've been - doing it for a long time.

Like - said, i've donated over 25- gallons so far.

It's just - something i need to do.

It help- - - - the community.

It helps, like i- say, the people who needed it - when they need it."

People from all walks of life - flowed into tuesday's blood - drive, including bret swynenber- and his wife vicki.

- they just moved to vancleave- from texas, and wasted no time- rolling up their sleeves for- this good cause.

Bret - swynenberg, blood donor: "i think it's outstanding.

It's a- small thing to do for - the people in the community.- donating blood doesn't take muc- time, and the - hospitals are really in need of- it right now.

I support the thi- blue line.

You've got to- support the thin blue line."

Toni miles, news 25: "just two hours in more than 100 people - had stepped up to - donate blood, and this is just- the beginning."

John pace, donor recruitment- representative, vitalant blood- bank: - "the plan is to have it every year on may 6th because on may- 5th, they're honoring him - - - - for his end of watch, so we - discussed it with the police an- we'll be doing this on- may 6th, probably right here in- the biloxi visitor's center.- beautiful site for a- blood drive.

Mac-robert - mckeithen, will ultimately be - responsible for over- 1,000 units of blood each year.- that's just amazing.

That's an- amazing legacy.

" in biloxi, toni miles,