Kansas City police officers David Loar and Chris Skinner meet a homeless man named Harold on New Year's Eve. Harold was a lucky man to be taken under the wing of the two men.
Loar and Skinner first met the 70-year-old Harold in the underground parking lot of Sears at Antioch Mall.
The pair learned that Harold used to be a trucker who lost his home during a divorce. When he had stayed at a homeless shelter all of his paper identification had been stolen.
First the officers helped the man get back his identification papers. That wasn't the end of their help though. Loar and Skinner kept an eye out on the elderly man, making regular friendly visits to make sure he was alright.
KMBC reports:
"It was tough those cold nights when we'd check on him, and say, 'Hey, you need a sandwich?' or 'You got plenty to drink? You warm enough?' And then to go home and climb into our beds and go, 'Man, I wonder how he's doing back there,'" Skinner said.
That caring resulted in getting paperwork sorted out so that Harold would have a roof over his head at night. Once an apartment was located the officers used their own money to put him up in a hotel until he could move in.
On Thursday Kansas City gave Loar and Skinner a commendation. They say knowing that Harold is safe at night is more important than being awarded for their caring.
"Our award was Harold has a house and an income and medical benefits, and he's no long sleeping on the cement at 71 years old," Loar said.
Harold is now receiving Social Security benefits. The elderly man repaid the officers for their expenses for helping him get his feet back on the ground.
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