By Police1 Staff
INDIANAPOLIS — After Officer Santos Cortez heard a local woman was in need of a new wheelchair, he found one he wasn’t using in his garage.
Ashley Brown, a single mom and double amputee, received an almost-new wheelchair from Cortez, who is also in a wheelchair, the IndyStar reported.
Cortez was paralyzed four years ago after a drunk driver crashed into him while on duty.
“People have always stepped up and helped me out,” Cortez told the publication. “It’s time for me to be a blessing and help somebody else out.”
Brown’s old wheelchair was falling apart and she didn’t have the funds to buy a new one.
“I knew I had to come to work. I knew I had to keep going,” Brown said. “I kept coming to work every day. Even with the tape on it.”
Officer John Reichle, who works as a part-time security officer at Walmart, saw how Brown’s wheelchair was falling apartment and spread the word through his department. Following Reichle’s lead, Sgt. T. Michael Wilson posted on Facebook.
Cortez saw the post and realized he had a barely-used wheelchair that he could give to Brown.
“Thank you,” Brown said. “I’m just overwhelmed with joy right now.”