A 92-year-old veteran is thankful to the local police after they possibly saved him from a dangerous situation after they responded to a call. The story is a perfect example of how we all need a little help sometimes, even if we don’t think we need it.

Calling 911 for help

Louis Hicks had called 911 after seeing thieves attempting to steal some power tools from his shed. Normally, Hicks was hesitant to ask for assistance, but this time he felt it was necessary. The veteran had raised his sisters after his mother died when they were young.

“You hate to ask anybody [for help] ’cause sometimes they’ll frown on you — and I’m a true veteran,” the World War II veteran told KVUE ABC. “I won’t ask. I won’t ask.”

A veteran in need

After arriving at his apartment, Officer Chasity Salazar noticed that Hicks’ oven was on without anything on the stove. Asking him about it, Salazar was surprised to hear that Hicks had turned on the stove to heat his home. He had also rigged something up to help the heat from the stove warm his apartment.

This was in the form of a portable fan that he was using to circulate the heated air from the oven into his living room.

Giving Hicks a gift

Salazar contacted the Austin Police Department where she worked. The department, working with the charities Austin Cops 4 Charities, the Austin Police Association, and St. David’s Foundation, sought to help Hicks with his heating situation.

The organizations were able to get him a brand-new heater. Best of all, they gave it to him for free.

Hicks was overcome with emotion at the kind gesture

After Salazar showed up at his door, along with Officer Bino Cadenas and the heater, Hicks was shocked.

“I’ve never had no one do nothing for me,” Hicks said through tears. “After my mother passed away and left me to take care of my two sisters … nobody never did nothing to help me.”

An avalanche of gifts

Then, a week later, the officers gave him a new electric fireplace. This sweet gesture set of a flood of gifts after neighbors began dropping off gifts for Hicks at his home, all of them free of charge.

As for Salazar, she was just happy to help. “He’s just offered me a lot of kindness too, so to know that he’s also served, and now I’m able to serve and give back to people like him.”

For more on this heartwarming story, watch the video below.

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Source: KVUE

H/T: Spotlight Stories, KVUE ABC