94 years old. Feeble. All alone. Reported missing and then found by police in a hospital suffering from hypothermia as his St. Albans, New York home was in disarray, its furnace broken, cold and dank.
This was not his whole life, however. He served in the renowned Harlem Hellfighters - an all-African-American infantry unit - in World War II; became a New York City police officer in the 1940s, rising to detective and serving for 20 years; and, thereafter became a gifted jazz musician who played the saxophone and would "jam with any band."
So the officers of the 113th Precinct - at first complete strangers - "adopted" him, fixed his boiler, repaired his home, got him veterans benefits, and scheduled his doctor's appointments for him while visiting every Sunday to check on him.
He died the other day - and even though no family member claimed his body, and he was destined for burial at Potters Field - the officers of the 113th intervened and ensured he would not be forgotten. Over 100 officers in dress uniform attended his church funeral - which they arranged - and further arranged for his burial at Long Island National Cemetery.
His name was William Brown. And in the end, he was loved. And, importantly, he was surrounded by many, many, friends who took care of him and tended to his needs as his medical condition worsened - none of them technically his family - all of them truly his loved ones.
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I wasn't sure if this was an urban legend or not. I found the NYPD Facebook page...
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6 comments:
That was a very nice thing for them to do, he lived to the end of his life in comfort.
Thanks for the story, and thanks for researching/not spreading an urban legend.
That is a heartwarming story indeed.
River - Doesn't happen often, does it?
Kathy - It had all the earmarks of an urban legend. I'm glad it wasn't.
Deb - Yes indeed.
That is a good story.
This is such a heart hugging story! Love it.
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