A Marion County Sheriff’s deputy went beyond the call to help a resident who was without food.
Thursday night Deputy Matt Higgins responded to check the welfare of a person in the 4000 block of Lancaster Drive NE. When Deputy Higgins parked in the driveway and knocked at the door he was greeted by an elderly resident.
The resident explained they were fine and did not require any medical attention, but they were hungry and most concerning they could not remember when they last ate. Deputy Higgins asked to come in and upon inspection found a home full of love but vacant of food. In fact the only food in the house were some expired condiments and two cans of green beans.
Deputy Higgins had choices, he certainly could have called an ambulance and had the resident taken to the hospital, where they would have been fed and provided service, but that is not what Deputy Sheriff's do. Deputy Sheriff's embody and through action demonstrate those words, those foundational character traits we live by.
Instead Deputy Higgins called Sergeant Justin Kinyon who responded to the scene. The deputies took the elderly resident to the grocery store and purchased some much needed food and returned to the house. While the Sergeant put away the food and cleaned the refrigerator Deputy Higgins put on his cooking hat and made some much needed, "tasty Italian, Hamburger Helper," for the resident to eat.
Integrity, Courage, Discipline, Loyalty, Diligence, Humility, Optimism, Conviction, not just words written on a piece of paper. Not just words echoed in hollow halls devoid of feeling. These are words spoken and lived each day by your Marion County Deputy Sheriff's.
Senior services has been contacted and requested to follow up with the resident to ensure their needs are met.