Cops Go Above Call of Duty After Discovering 92-Year-Old WWII Vet Using Stove To Keep Warm
Police officers and community members have rallied around a 92-year-old World War II veteran who was living without proper heating.
Louis C. Hicks, from Austin, Texas, served his country in World War II.
The veteran told KVUE that he doesn’t ask for much, but when somebody started stealing tools from the shed behind his home, he called the Austin Police Department for help.
Officer Chastity Salazar visited Hicks at his home to file a police report. Taking a look around his home, Salazar quickly realized that Hicks needed some help, especially with keeping warm.
“That’s just what we do as police officers,” Salazar said. “I had realized that he’s using the oven. I know that’s not safe. His gas is on.”
How sweet is this?! @Austin_Police is delivering a free heater to a 92-year-old World War II veteran! An officer who responded to his house last week noticed he was heating it with his stove and oven. Thanks to these officers, he won’t need to do that anymore. ? @KVUE pic.twitter.com/rCvwclXuVW
— Pattrik Perez (@PattrikPerez) January 29, 2019
Salazar reached out to her colleagues, and it wasn’t long before Austin police knocked on Hicks’ front door again. This time, they were carrying a free heater for his home.
The heater was just the first step in showing Hicks some major love and appreciation for his military service.
On Jan. 31, Hicks received an electric fireplace, installed in his home.
Officer Bino Cadenas has been visiting Hicks regularly and came up with a list of other items the veteran wished he could have — among them, shirts, underwear, chips and peanuts.
Hicks has been flooded with emotion and gratitude for all the help, admitting that asking for help is not something he would ever do.
“I’ve never had no one to do nothing for me,” an emotional Hicks said. “After my mother passed away and left me to take care of my two sisters — nobody never did nothing to help me.”
“You hate to ask anybody ’cause sometimes they’ll frown on you, and I’m a true veteran,” Hicks said. “I won’t ask. I won’t ask.”
Visited Mr. Hicks this afternoon. He’s extremely thankful to everyone who has reached out and has even found lost family members. “From the bottom of my heart ❤️ Thank You”
Big things are coming his way – home improvements, @HonorFlightATX, and community support. Wish list…1/2 pic.twitter.com/iDCGuRIAeG— Bino Cadenas (@Bino_APD) January 31, 2019
Salazar is thankful that Hicks is receiving the help he needs with such an open heart.
“He’s just offered me a lot of kindness, too,” Salazar said. “So to know that he’s also served, and now I’m able to serve and give back to people like him.”
Hicks told KVUE that the donations mean “everything.”
“The things I’ve been trying to do since the ’40s. I’ve been asking for help and now it just came in. God is good,” Hicks said.
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