THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050168
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
I turn right off High Street, go through Waterview to cemetery. I have a mother, father, brother and wife buried there.
I think there are some selfish people living in Waterview. I am afraid they will miss the service of the ambulance. Therefore I think the barriers should be removed.
Claude F. Tuttle
Parker Avenue
Dec. 28, 1995 A helpful policeman
I am writing this letter in hopes that you publish it as a thank-you note for a kind officer of the Norfolk Police force. On Dec. 18, my 2-month-old son became very sick. He had the R.O.T.A. virus, and our pediatrician told us to keep an eye out for certain symptoms.
By 9 p.m. my son was definitely worse, so we placed a call to the pediatrician. Afraid that my son would become dehydrated, the pediatrician sent us to the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Having resided in that area, I knew where the hospital was, and figured I could find it easy enough.
We came through the Downtown Tunnel, and I followed what I believed was the correct route. After about five minutes of looking for the entrance, I finally concluded I was lost. By this time, my son was screaming constantly, and nothing would soothe him.
I came to a stop sign and saw an approaching car. The car turned on the road we were facing, and, to my delight, I saw it was a Norfolk Police car. I immediately flashed my high beams to get his attention, and the car pulled over to the side of the road. I approached and rolled down the passenger's side window and asked the officer where the hospital was. He proceeded to give me directions, then asked what was wrong. I told him ``My 2-month-old is sick.'' He replied, ``Follow me,'' and led us right to the entrance to the hospital.
Before I could thank him, the officer drove off to go about his business. Fortunately, my son is doing better now, and was home with us for Christmas. But on that cold rainy night, that one police officer made all the difference in the world. Had he not helped me, I would never had found the hospital.
So to that officer, whose name I do not know, but I'm sure you are out there, thank you from me and my family.
I hope that the next time that someone says how bad the Norfolk Police Department is that they remember how this one officer, out of the goodness of his heart, may have saved my 2-month-old's life, and he did it because he cared.
T. Simone
Portsmouth by CNB