92-year-old World War II veteran Lewis Hicks called 911 after discovering a thief had stolen his tools from a shed in Austin, Texas. Officer Chasity Salazar was sent to complete a report but became concerned about Hicks’s safety when she noticed he was using his gas stove and oven to warm up his chili. Recognizing the danger, Salazar contacted her co-workers and with the help of Austin Kopp’s Four Charities, Austin Police Association, and St. David’s Foundation, they were able to provide Hicks with a free heater. Hicks, who had been using an old heater but stopped when it burned a hole in the floor, was touched by the officers’ kindness and the community’s generosity, which included donations, a wish list, and over ten thousand dollars raised through a GoFundMe. The Austin Police Department proved to be more than just law enforcers, acting as angels in blue and answering Hicks’s prayers.
As days passed, the bond between Officer Salazar and Lewis Hicks deepened. She made it a point to check in on him regularly, ensuring he had everything he needed. Their visits became a bright spot in the veteran’s life, a reminder that despite his solitude, he wasn’t forgotten. Hicks would tell Salazar stories of his time in the war, his eyes lighting up with memories of bravery and brotherhood. In return, Salazar listened intently, feeling honored to be in the presence of a living piece of history. Through these conversations, Hicks not only found companionship but also a sense of renewed purpose in sharing his experiences.
Word of Officer Salazar’s kindness spread throughout the community, inspiring others to help. Local businesses began donating goods, offering services to repair Hicks’s home, and volunteering to spend time with him. His once quiet home was now filled with warmth and laughter, with neighbors dropping by for coffee or to lend a hand. What started as a routine police report blossomed into a community rallying around one of its own, proving that small acts of kindness can spark tremendous change. Hicks, once a forgotten hero, was now a beloved figure in Austin, thanks to a simple call for help and a cop who went above and beyond her duty.
