Well I am about to go inside for quite a while and the wife and I decided to stay around home for the Holidays.  The PD was way short on staffing so I opted to work a minimum staffing day shift slot yesterday for the extra cash.  I got a call to the edge of the City where there is a lake and brush on a 'suspicious person' call where someone was rummaging in the trash at a lakeside trailer campground.  I found the guy who was in his late 40's and had been living in a clump of cedar trees near the lake.  Although homeless, he was very clean and his "home" was a tarp pulled between some trees.  No beer bottles, trash or garbage of any kind and his clothes were even folded.  He had been washing them in the lake after dark and hanging them to dry.  I have been in houses dirtier than this guy's place.  Anyway, he has been living there for about five months and truly fits the definition of being 'down on his luck'.  His feet were trashed from the weather and he only had an old pair of tennis shoes to get by on.  He was limping pretty bad but didn't bitch one word about his feet.  I did the only thing that I could, I him loaded up in my car and drove him over to a shoe store and told him to pick out a decent pair of boots.  The store manager realized what was going on and threw in a package of athletic socks for the guy.  After we got him fixed up all he could do was cry and say thanks.  I took him back "home" and told him that I would check in on him regularly.  He lost his ID and the State won't issue him one without a permanent address so he's stuck.  That's my next project.  The guy was a tanker with the 11th ACR at Fulda back in the day and still has pride in his conduct and appearance.

Good job

You're a good man TxLawDog.

Merry Christmas.

Wow, Thank you

Hope this guy gets the break he needs

now thats holiday spirit.!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are a man of great character.

Your a good man, not alot of folks would do that.

And his dog lived to see a new day.

Good job.  You truly are a gentleman.

Merry Christmas!!!

You are a good man.

You are lying, we all know you what you really did was shoot his dog

j/k, what you did is what the spirit of Christmas is truly about

edit: he should be able to get a Texas ID card using his military records:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/pages/identificationrequirements.htm

It would be my honor to buy you the drink of your choice.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Merry Christmas to you TxLawDog

GM

You rock.

I'm telling that story next time I hear someone dumping on LEOs.

Got sumpthing in my eyes dang nabit

This season is all about giving

Nice Job!

Quoted: Well I am about to go inside for quite a while and the wife and I decided to stay around home for the Holidays.  The PD was way short on staffing so I opted to work a minimum staffing day shift slot yesterday for the extra cash.  I got a call to the edge of the City where there is a lake and brush on a 'suspicious person' call where someone was rummaging in the trash at a lakeside trailer campground.  I found the guy who was in his late 40's and had been living in a clump of cedar trees near the lake.  Although homeless, he was very clean and his "home" was a tarp pulled between some trees.  No beer bottles, trash or garbage of any kind and his clothes were even folded.  He had been washing them in the lake after dark and hanging them to dry.  I have been in houses dirtier than this guy's place.  Anyway, he has been living there for about five months and truly fits the definition of being 'down on his luck'.  His feet were trashed from the weather and he only had an old pair of tennis shoes to get by on.  He was limping pretty bad but didn't bitch one word about his feet.  I did the only thing that I could, I him loaded up in my car and drove him over to a shoe store and told him to pick out a decent pair of boots.  The store manager realized what was going on and threw in a package of athletic socks for the guy.  After we got him fixed up all he could do was cry and say thanks.  I took him back "home" and told him that I would check in on him regularly.  He lost his ID and the State won't issue him one without a permanent address so he's stuck.  That's my next project.  The guy was a tanker with the 11th ACR at Fulda back in the day and still has pride in his conduct and appearance.

Sir you are to be commended, I see so much self indulgence over the holidays and then I see the people who are down and out on their luck, Christmas is not the commercial but the actual program...

Damn interferring JBT!  


Just kidding.  Ya done good.  Merry Christmas to you TxLawDog.

Reminds me of the army vet who was living in a grove of tress behind the Arby's - he had a nice tarp& box shelter set up, and was burning the used fry oil as fuel. He'd occassionally get the leftover sandwiches from the restaurant after closing.

Some git from the navy base spotted a fire and called it in. I told him about using one of the fire pit designs in the future, while my check valve Lt. put out the guy's fire.

At least he didn't cite him for "open burning".

Situations like this make me think all is not lost!  Good job!

And Merry Christmas to you  [<|:d>]

Sleep a little better tonight, we will.

Good man


Taffy

Hell, you made me tear up just a little but I am a sucker for random acts of kindness. Well done.

Damn, you  made me tear up. Good job, I'm not a big proponent of helping those that dont help themselves, but this guy sounded like he really was in need. Even though down on his luck still managed to maintain high self esteem. Ya did good.

You did good nice post.

Good job. That made me tear up...........

TxLawDog,
You are truly a good man and I am proud to be in the same profession as you.
Merry Christmas

Outstanding

Quoted: This season is all about giving Nice Job!

That's what I always say..Its all about togetherness and doing for others not to mention appreciation for
how good we really do have it.

If you have ever been out of work during Christmas you know what I mean.

Great Job !!

That guy is truely thankful and what the Christmas spirit embodies of those in true need.

Merry Christmas !!

Not alot of peolpe would to that.  I hope all goes well with that.

Good job.

May all your landings be soft Lawdog.

You are my hero. Thank you for making my night.

Your a goodman TxLawDog!Keep us updated on how he is doing!

Quoted: Good on you LawDog. This has all the markings of an AR15.com BOTS fire mission....

Striker, dont limit your contributors.

If this is a 100% verifiable cause and the guy is clean (no drug/alcohol) I am in for a little.

Good on you lawdog!

Merry Christmas!

Rick

You?  Good karma.  Well done.

TLD,
IF you hit me with an address,
I have tons more stuff than I need.
I'd like to send somethings to make his life easier.

Polar Tec blanket
More Socks
T-shirts
First aid supplies.

TIA,
Pete

Well done.  You make us proud.  

**Update**

Wow!  I step away from ARFCOM for some family time and return to find some great ideas.  To everyone who has responded, thanks.  My goal for this post was not a pat on my back but rather that regardless of the season we as LEOs are in a unique position to help others out.  In the last year I have actively participated in or assisted with the arrest of over 500 violent felons so I am not soft on crime and have in the past been a JBT.  Having said that, I also realize that there are people who are put in situations that they are powerless to overcome and would otherwise be quality citizens.  It is easy to become jaded and cynical by the virtue of what we experience daily.   A plan may be in the works to further assist the Vet but I also want to make sure that this is a legitimate situation.  I will be returning to his "home" tomorrow to talk further with him and if warranted assess his needs.  After speaking with him the other day I did the usual local, state and federal warrant and criminal history check and he had nothing other than a couple of transient type run-ins (vagrancy, etc.).  Our Agency records panhandlers pretty closely because our local Council made that a 'quality of life' issue and passed an ordinance that cited people for panhandling without a lisence.  A license costs $35 at City Hall.  This Vet had never been handled for that offense and it fits because the first thing that I asked him when I found him and was getting his information was what corner he 'flew' his sign at.  His response was that flying signs was "bullshit" and he wouldn't lower himself to that.  That's when I backed up and realized that I wasn't dealing with your average bum.  He told me that he didn't drink and from the evidence I can say that is probably true.  While we were at the store getting his boots he mentioned something about some type of Government benefits that he receives but had been unable to get his checks because of the no ID, no address and thus no bank account for direct deposit.  This is something that I was going to talk to him further about to try to get some details.  I also cashed in a favor with the manager of the Arbys about 3/4 of a mile from where the Vet is at and the Mgr gave me some gift certificates for some food.  I hope the Vet likes roast beef.  After some more research I will be posting further updates.  Again, thanks.  Almost forgot, with the Vet's permission, I will also post his name tomorrow.

Once you have a needs list...please give us a contact addy...
Pete

Would a PO Box work for his needs?  I'll throw in.

I think the biggest disgrace in this country today is the pissing on vets, especially homeless ones.  Lawdog, I thank you for what your doing for him, It makes me sick to see the way most of them are treated, and people like you help me keep the faith that there are good people left around.  Be safe.

Our soccer club pays $18.oo a year for a letter size box...
I can have a check in the mail tomorrow for $20 and send supplies once he is up and running.

Wondering IF my dad and his buddies would fair as well...if the system let him slip through.

Pete

tag