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Ex-con Witnesses a Police Officer Getting Shot During a Fight - Doesnt Hesitate to Make the Right Choice
Everyday Heroes

Ex-con Witnesses a Police Officer Getting Shot During a Fight - Doesnt Hesitate to Make the Right Choice

John Lally of Houston, Texas isn't your typical hero. With a rap sheet a mile long and multiple stints in prison, he's spent a lot of his life on the wrong side of the law.It would be easy to assume that when it comes to Lally and cops, there's no love lost. For years, they've been on opposite sides. And yet, when he got caught in the middle of a deadly shootout and had a choice to save himself or the life of a downed officer, he didn't even hesitate.What Happened When an Ex-con Came to a Gun FightLally, who works for a landscaping company, was on his third gravel run of the morning when he heard the sirens and saw the flashing lights in his rearview mirror.This time, however, the police weren't after him. They were in hot pursuit of a 19-year-old male carjacker. Refusing to give himself up, the suspect sped down the highway until he lost control and struck multiple vehicles.Lally immediately pulled over to help the crash victims. But instead of finding himself in the middle of an accident scene, he found himself smack dab in the middle of an active shootout between several police officers and the suspect.As he ran to take cover from the barrage of bullets whizzing through the air, he witnessed an officer, John Gibson, go down, suffering a gunshot wound to the leg.While most people's instinct would be to duck and cover, Lally isn't most people. At the risk of his own life, and with his cell phone recording, Lally threw himself into the line of fire. Bullets flying around him, he only had one thought on his mind, “I just was on a mission to go grab him,” Lally told CNN.With the help of another officer, Lally dragged Officer Gibson to safety. Why an Ex-con Chose to Save a Wounded Police OfficerAs the Houston police officers worked to stop the gunman, Lally refused to leave Gibson's side. He understood what the officer was going through, having also once been shot in the leg. “Hold my hand. You’re going to be OK. Hold my hand,” he reassured Gibson, the father of a 20-month-old, over and over again. As the minutes ticked by, Lally told Gibson he believed he was there for a reason. “I’ve been to prison twice, man. I’ve been to state jail once," Lally can be heard in the recording obtained by CNN. "The last time I was locked up, they offered me 25 years, man. I had no choice but to get out and change my life … and I’m here with you, like it was my calling to be here with you today.”John LallyFinally, after more than 10 minutes, the suspect, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was subdued. He later died of his injuries. Gibson was transported to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Lally stayed behind to make certain that the crash victims were all okay. From Criminal to Hero: Ex-con Is Now Being Recognized for His HeroismLally may have a long history of criminal charges, including aggravated assault, theft of property, narcotic use, and weapon possession, but he's not letting that stop him from changing his life around.And saving a police officer's life is a pretty amazing redemptive arc. The Houston Police Department thinks so too. In a press conference, police chief Troy Finner said Lally deserves to be celebrated.“People make mistakes," he said of Lally's past brushes with the law. "But a truly reformed individual is a person that we can use. He stepped up and other citizens stepped up, and I don’t want that to get lost."The U.S. Police, Fire, and EMS Foundation is planning to honor Lally with a service award for his act of heroism. As for Lally, he's taking the rescue, which occurred on November 11, as a sign of new beginnings."This is somebody's life, so at the end of the day, I think we should all do anything and everything that we can to help people," he said. "11/11 is the Angel's number, but it also represents new beginnings."It seems like he's off to a pretty incredible start. While society may deem a criminal an unlikely hero, we all, regardless of our past mistakes, or maybe even because of them, have the ability to grow and change and choose to do better. It's the great part of being human. More from Goalcast:Ex-convict Stops for Breakfast at Denny’s – And Asks for a Waitress Who’s a Single Mom for This ReasonEx-convict Obsessed With One Musician in Prison – He Can’t Stop Crying When They Meet in PersonEx-convict Released From Prison After 20 Year Sentence – Makes a Surprising Plan for Vengeance After Returning Home

Pregnant Woman Goes Into Labor on the Front Porch of Her House - Police Officer Jumps Into Action and Delivers Her Baby
Uplifting News

Pregnant Woman Goes Into Labor on the Front Porch of Her House - Police Officer Jumps Into Action and Delivers Her Baby

On a typical Monday morning in East Hampton, New York, a couple found themselves in a harrowing situation that could have gone terribly wrong if it weren't for the quick thinking and actions of a nearby police officer and her colleagues. “Have you ever done this before?” Cody Vichinsky asked East Hampton Town Police Officer Grace Peterson as the two knelt next to each other on Vichinsky’s front porch.“From the other side,” Officer Peterson responded, “Twice.”A Pregnant Woman Goes Into Labor on Her Front PorchThe pair were kneeling next to Vichinsky’s wife, Lauren, each holding one of her legs. Lauren Vichinsky was about to give birth to the couple’s second daughter — right there on the porch. A few minutes earlier, Officer Peterson had been assisting a woman who had fallen and broken her arm, when a call came in that a woman was going into labor.The 19-year police veteran sprinted to her car, and rushed to the house, pulling in to find Lieutenant Daniel Toia putting an oxygen mask on Lauren Vichinsky, who was on all fours on the front porch, in visible pain. “She was crying and timing her contractions with her phone — they were about two minutes apart — and she told me she had the urge to push,” the officer told local news. “It was her second child, so she knew that things were moving quickly. I could tell by her face that we were going to have that baby.”Though officers were trained in child delivery, for Peterson that was 19 years ago, and she largely relied on maternal instinct. Masterfully, she was able to orchestrate the scene, get necessary supplies and direct other officers on the scene -- who admittedly would have been lost without her. How One Woman Followed Her Instincts to Deliver a BabyThe local police chief even admitted that in his almost 3 decade tenure on the force, he had never seen a child delivery before. The other officers on the scene, both male, also acknowledged that Grace Peterson managed the scene instinctually, much to their relief. “Grace, it was like she’d done it a million times,” her colleague Toia said. “I asked her, ‘When the hell did you get an M.D.?’ She put on an outstanding performance. I’m really glad she was there.”Cody Vichensky, the new father, also added that “[Grace] was in the zone, instinctively. She was directing everybody, and you could see she was thinking about each step ahead of anyone else.”RELATED: Struggling Pregnant Waitress Sleeps in Her Car – Then Her School Teacher Changes Her Life With One MoveHowever, the delivery was hardly an easy one, and almost took a turn towards the tragic. As Lauren Vichensky started to push, and the head of the baby started to become visible, something was clearly wrong. “The head popped out, and she was blue as a Smurf,” Cody Vichinsky recounted. “She wasn’t breathing. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck.”Officer Peterson's quick thinking and swift action might have just saved the day. According to local news, she recounted, “It was scary. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, and I could see fluid in her nose and mouth. I unwrapped the cord and was able to flip her over, and I put my fingers in her mouth and cleared out the fluid. And Cody got something, a suction thing, from the house, and was able to clear out her nose." How One Police Officer’s Quick-Thinking Saved a LifeFinally, to the great relief of everyone there, the baby released a cry, and was delivered. “I wanted to hear that cry so desperately," Peterson remembers.About an hour earlier, the couple first knew they were in for a surprise when Lauren Vichensky doubled over in pain at their East Hampton home. When she started to feel contractions, the two rushed out the door, but never made it past the front porch as the contractions intensified and quickened. “We’re walking out the door, and she stopped, and next thing I knew she was on all fours in agony and couldn’t move — it suddenly got very real,” Cody Vichinsky recalled.“Without those officers, I don’t think my daughter would be alive,” he said. “Officer Peterson, in our house, will always be a hero.” Peterson went above and beyond the call of duty in a remarkable way, and was able to assist two strangers in one of their most intimate, important, and vulnerable moments. Officer Peterson is certainly a hero, but humbly maintains: “Lauren was the hero on that porch. I’m just happy I was there to be able to assist her. Mother’s Day should definitely be a full week.”

Young Woman Whose Father Passed Away Steps off the Prom Bus - Finds a Dozen Police Officers Waiting for Her
Uplifting News

Young Woman Whose Father Passed Away Steps off the Prom Bus - Finds a Dozen Police Officers Waiting for Her

Prom is supposed to be a happy time in a young person’s life. It’s a milestone filled with fancy frocks, big plans, and even bigger dreams. But it’s hard to think about prom without conjuring up images of proud parents snapping photos. So to lose one of your parents before that big moment can be heartbreaking. That’s one reason this story has people everywhere wiping away tears.Why One Mother Wanted to Make Her Daughter’s Prom SpecialYouTube/Fox NewsIn December 2021, just days before Christmas, a Tarpon Springs, Florida officer named Charles Kondek Jr. was sent on a routine call. There, he was unexpectedly killed when someone trying to evade arrest pulled out a gun, shot him, and then ran him over with a vehicle. The man was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder.RELATED: Dedicated Father Regrets Never Having Been to Prom – Teen Daughter Steps in and Brings Him to TearsIt was a horrific moment Kondek’s family — including his six kids — will never forget. It also shook everyone in the community, and the precinct was heartbroken. So when Kondek’s widow wanted to make her daughter Aleena’s prom extra special a year-and-a-half later, the man’s former co-workers were happy to step in and help.The Huge Surprise One Young Woman ReceivedOn prom weekend, a dozen or so police officers came together and greeted Aleena as she stepped off her prom bus. Together, they escorted her to the big event.“It was an honor and privilege to be able to do this for Charlie as we know he would have been there himself," the police department wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post. "We Will Never Forget - TSPD Blue Family."In an interview with Fox News, one of the officers who showed up that day reiterated the message. “It’s our responsibility and our honor to stand in for Charlie,” he told cameras. “Charlie would be here, and he isn’t able to be here. So we want to be here for Charlie.”How One Fallen Officer’s Memory Is Kept Alive For her part, Aleena was touched. It meant a lot to see her dad’s fellow officers there, reminding her that he’s always in their hearts.“They always say never forgotten, and I totally believe that because every day they’re texting me, saying ‘How are you doing?’ and they step in with things that my dad did,” she told Fox News. “They’re amazing. I love each and every one of them.”RELATED: Dedicated Father Regrets Never Having Been to Prom – Teen Daughter Steps in and Brings Him to TearsWhile some might have expected the teen to be sad during the big day, the memory of her dad brought a smile to her face.“I know he’s always with me, but I just kept smiling throughout the day because I know that he’s watching down,” she said. “I know he’s probably tearing up watching me put my makeup on and get my hair done. They’re my dad’s brothers, and they’ve been amazing.”How Police Officers Proved the Importance of Showing UpHard things happen in life, but what gets any of us through is the support and kindness of our communities and loved ones. Aleena’s prom story is a great example of that, and it serves as a reminder of just how important it is to show up for the people we love.If you’re a parent, that could mean making sure you’re there for all the moments in your kids’ lives, and not just the big ones. The same goes for grandparents and extended family. As a friend, showing up with dinner when your pal is down or showing up to help them even when they didn’t ask can be huge.There are many ways to let the people we love in our lives know that we’re there for them; it’s just a matter of reminding yourself to make the time. After all, none of us know just how much time we’ve got left.

Police Officers Can't Save an Elderly Man Pleading for Help - Backup Arrives from an Unlikely Place
Everyday Heroes

Police Officers Can't Save an Elderly Man Pleading for Help - Backup Arrives from an Unlikely Place

The dog days of summer can be fun and exciting, but when it gets too hot, the weather can be dangerous especially to vulnerable communities, like senior citizens. RELATED: Concerned Family Call Police on Elderly Man Who Wants to Drive Across America – The Cop Who Arrives Has Different PlansHeat waves have cost many older people their lives, and it's vitally important for them to stay cool inside on the hottest days of the year.One elderly man was trying to do just that when he realized he couldn’t cool down and called for help. The first responders who came to his aid may not have done what most people expect from police officers, and that's what made their gesture all the more important.An Elderly Man Faced Deadly Texas Heat- So He Called the Cops(By Scott Rodgerson)When the temperature rises in Texas, it can get seriously hot. The heat index can creep up to almost 100 degrees before noon, which can be downright deadly to people who can't handle it. Julius Hatley, a 95-year-old veteran in Fort Worth was having one of those days, and he knew it would be best for him to stay cool inside his house. However, he found that, despite having air conditioning, his house was sweltering. So, he moved to his porch, hoping to try and find some cooler air -- but he was out of luck. Not knowing what to do to escape the heat, he decided to call 911 for help. The dispatcher took his call, but didn’t consider it an emergency. Nevertheless, two officers who had some time that morning went to pay the old man a visit, and paid him a small kindness that he'll never forget.How Home Depot Helped Friendly Policemen Save an Old Man from a Heat WaveOfficers William Margolis and Christopher Weir decided to head to Hatley’s house at 8:30 am. When they arrived, it was already almost 90 degrees inside his home. Worried, they inspected the man’s air conditioning unit and found that it was broken beyond repair. The two officers left Hatley’s home without offering an immediate solution. But they couldn’t shake their concern.RELATED: Chronically Ill Elderly Man’s Car Is Stolen – Stranger Steps in With Best Response After Hearing His StoryMargolis and Weir decided to go to Home Depot themselves and see what he could get for Hatley with his own money that might help cool him down. Once there, they explained the situation to the employees and asked for recommendations. The Home Depot staff was so touched by what the officers were doing that they offered to pool some of their own money to help Hatley as well. The team contributed $150. A Texas Community Came Together to Help a Veteran in NeedThe officers’ kindness didn’t stop when they purchased the air conditioner. They also recruited another colleague, Steven Robrovich, to help them install everything in Hatley’s house. Hatley was over the moon, extremely grateful for what the officers were doing for him.“[Hatley] was actually really excited," said Officer Margolis. "He said he knew if he needed help to call 911, and we actually were able to help him, so he was really excited about that.” The officers shared the story on social media, where it went viral. The outcome was an outpouring of even more help for the elderly veteran.“Since the story [was first shared], we have all worked on getting [Hatley’s] central air replaced," Officer Weir’s wife. "A company came forward to do so, completely for free. We are currently working on getting his windows replaced, his house repainted, and groceries every week.” The community really came together to help Julius Hatley in his time of need. He phoned 911, knowing that he had access to support, and did they ever show up! The officers, as well as the Home Depot employees, inspire us with their generosity, just as they did with their community. KEEP READING:Police Officers Notice Homeless Mom Living With Her Kids Behind Walmart – What They Do Next Brings Her to Tears

Homeless Mom Gets Arrested For Suspended License And Lack Of Insurance, Police Officer Has Best Response
Uplifting News

Homeless Mom Gets Arrested For Suspended License And Lack Of Insurance, Police Officer Has Best Response

Arrested and homelessEbony Rhodes and her four children were down on their luck.Rhodes' mother just died and they'd moved to Atlanta but didn't have a place to stay—at one point they even had to sleep in their car. Then, she got arrested for having a suspended license and no insurance."It just brought tears to my eyes," Rhodes told Fox5. "I knew what the possibilities were."But an Atlanta Police Department officer who was also a single mother wanted to help Rhodes and her family. The cop found a shelter for them to stay for a few months as Rhodes took on jobs to move into a small apartment.Local police helped outWith mounting hospital bills due to illnesses in the family—her youngest daughter has Lupus and is partially blind in one eye, her middle son suffered serious burns in a tragic accident playing near a campfire, and she herself requires chemotherapy—the family found themselves homeless again. To make matters worse, Rhodes' car was totaled and she had to pay $40 per day in ride shares to get to two jobs."When bad things happen, I try not to dwell on it," Rhodes told FOX 5. "I'm just like okay, this is meant to happen for me to get where I want to be."After hearing about Rhodes' situation, Atlanta PD Deputy Chief Jeff Glazier decided to lend a hand.He started a GoFundMe for the family to help them pay their bills."Maya Angelou said...'We are more alike, my friends, than we are unlike,'" Glazier wrote on the GoFundMe. "I truly believe that and hope your generosity makes life easier for a struggling family."The police department also created a YouTube video.An outpouring of supportIncredibly, more than $70,000 in donations came rolling in from more than 1,200 donors.As a result, the family was able to move into a house and got caught up on their bills."Everything that is given to us, we look (at it) as a blessing and we appreciate it more than anybody would ever know."Ebony RhodesEven as her family continues to struggle to pay bills, Rhodes said she's paying it forward by donating to people who live on the streets and babysitting for other single mothers on her off days.The kindness of strangersIt's hard to imagine what Rhodes must have felt like when she got arrested while homeless. Frustration. Desperation. Probably both of those feelings and more.But out of the blue, she got a helping hand from an unlikely source—police officers she didn't know. Then, she got more help from others she didn't know amounting to $70,000.This unbelievable act of kindness goes to show how kind strangers really can be, and that even when things seem hopeless there could be light at the end of the tunnel. More uplifting stories:Teacher Goes Above And Beyond For All 50 Of Her Students Who Couldn’t Afford To Buy Christmas GiftsFlight Attendant Finds Passenger’s Baby Crying Out Of Hunger- Steps In With An Outstanding OfferDad of the Year Books Seat on All 6 of Flight Attendant Daughter’s Scheduled Trips – Just to Spend Christmas with Her“It’s My Turn to Take Care of You Now” – Single Mom Breaks Down After Son Surprises Her With Incredible GiftLead with empathyPutting yourself in someone else's shoes can make a world of difference.

Homeless Mom of 2 Gathers Nerve To Ask Police Officer A Question - The Response Changes Her Life
Uplifting News

Homeless Mom of 2 Gathers Nerve To Ask Police Officer A Question - The Response Changes Her Life

It’s really easy to feel all alone in life, especially when going through hardship. But sometimes the best thing we can do is allow ourselves to ask for help, like Michigan mom Erin Harrison did. Harrison worked at a McDonald’s in Walled Lake, Michigan. But her pay wasn't enough to cover rent. And she and her twin daughters ended up homeless. Sleeping in her carErin was doing whatever she could to save money, and so she and the girls slept in her car for a few nights. The car was parked right outside of the girls’ school, but she wasn’t sure what she was doing was even legal. So, she did the only thing she could think to do -- she asked police officer Heather Kolke. “She started asking me legal questions. So of course I started asking more questions of her and discovered she was going to be sleeping in the car tonight so she could get the kids to school in the morning. They were homeless,” said Sergeant Heather Kolke.Moms helping momsHeather, also a mom, knew she had to help. “As a mom, I knew I had to get her a place to stay,” she said. She then enlisted the help of fellow police officers, and found Erin and her daughters a temporary place to stay, as well as gift cards to help her make ends meet. That wasn’t all though: They even got her a job interview and went with her to the interview for moral support.Heather wasn’t done yet though. She also planned a birthday party for twins Hayden and Abigail, with local businesses donating balloons, cake, and pizza.The spirit of community is still alive The whole community ultimately got involved, raising $2,500 in cash, as well as clothes for the kids, and items for their new home once they were able to get one."It warms my heart to know that there are people out there who care. I feel like I was connected with Sgt. Kolke through God. It is a reminder there are good people in the world," shared Harrison. More uplifting stories:Police Officer Adopts Abused Toddler After Rescuing Her From Unsafe HomePoor Man Who Missed Job Interview To Save A Life Had Employers Lining Up To Hire HimStruggling Woman Is Stranded With Only $5 - A Chance Encounter With A Stranger Changed Her Life ForeverBrooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For OthersHelp when you canYou have the power to make a difference in someone's life.