When two officers from California’s Lancaster Sheriff’s Department got a call out about a hazard in the middle of a busy road, they didn’t know what to expect. It’s safe to say, however, that the two deputies were pretty shocked when they saw an elderly woman in her motorized wheelchair.
The police officers decided it would be safest to fold up her chair, throw it in the trunk and give the woman a ride back to her home. But they quickly realized this would not be possible, as the motorized chair was too large due to fit into the patrol vehicle due to its enormous battery pack.
https://www.facebook.com/LancasterSheriffsStation/videos/274140956552035/
“Deputies Chapman and Montanez received a call of a traffic hazard, a wheelchair in the middle of the road. When they arrived, they did find the wheelchair on the side of the road, but with an elderly female sitting in it!” the police department posted on Facebook alongside the dramatic video footage.
“Her motorized wheelchair had run out of power and she was stranded. Deputies Chapman and Montanez quickly offered her a ride home, but she was very upset about leaving her only means of mobility behind. The wheelchair, being quite heavy and unable to fold because of the battery pack, did not fit in their patrol vehicle.”
So, the police officers hatched a cunning plan that would involve a simple dose of muscle power.
“Deputy Montanez stepped up. He decided he would push the wheelchair to her home, about one mile, in full uniform and boots,” the department continued. “Deputy Chapman teased him about his “slow” pace and you can hear our elderly friend getting a good laugh out of it!”
“You could pick it up, we’re only at about 1mph right now,” Chapman radioed through to his energetic colleague. Montanez can be seen turning around with a huge grin on his face, as the old lady has a little chuckle to herself.
Comments of appreciation poured in on the Facebook post. “Totally awesome, what a great guy!” one person wrote. “Thank you for your service!” another added. “Thank You, sir, for Caring. God Bless you and your partner.”
The department added that it was “so incredibly grateful to all of our deputies” for their selfless dedication to the job.
“My hero wears a badge.”