MCKINNEY - A call to McKinney police reporting a theft took a very different twist. The officer who responded discovered the crime victim needed help repairing his home.
It all started when McKinney police officer John Lane noticed a ladder leaning on the back of a house. The 75-year-old homeowner said he was trying to repair his roof, but wasn't well enough to do it. So, Lane put out a call to his colleagues asking for help.
Lee Shields said he's comfortable living alone in the house he has called home since 1950. But, lately it's gotten uncomfortable. His deteriorating roof is leaking.
“It’s pretty bad," he said. "It got worse lately. I've got some pans sitting on the floor to catch the water."
Shields called police when thieves stole the motor off his boat. Lane saw the ladder and wondered how the ailing 75-year-old man would repair the roof.
“He was telling me that he was too sick to do it any more," Lane said. "He didn't want to bother his neighbors."
So, the officer radioed for help. The McKinney Police Association responded, offering to pay for the repairs. They hired Kenneth Tallent's roofing company, a service Tallent was happy to give because he remembers Shields as a generous photographer who was a fixture at the nearby park 38 years ago.
“He would always be taking pictures of all the kids," Tallent said. "As everybody was growing up he's give you the pictures back."
A roofing crew started working on Shields' roof this week, ripping off the old shingles. By Wednesday afternoon, the work will be done.
For the officer who initiated it, it's a sweet reward.
“Listening to his history out here, it was the least we could do as a community to give back,” Lane said.
For the long time McKinney homeowner, it was a gift of compassion he never expected but was glad he did.
“I really appreciate it," he said. "Words really can't express how much I appreciate it. It gets to a point where you just can't do it yourself any more."
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
