Kilgore, Texas Police Officers Aid Homeless, Stranded Man

Feb. 16--A little help can lead to a lot of thanks.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday evening, Kilgore Police Department Corporal Gary Pullen was dispatched to investigate a man stranded in the city. Once he found the wandering man, Pullen took the time to learn about his situation.

"That can happen to any of us on any given day," said Mitch Autrey, KPD corporal and shift supervisor. "Everything we have and enjoy is a blessing, and if there's someone out there less fortunate, pass on that blessing."

As it turned out, the man Pullen talked with was homeless and traveling to Houston. Originally, he was going to reach his destination by bus, but the man was suffering from a recent surgery.

"We had actually found out he got off a bus in Kilgore," Autrey said. "He had a hip surgery, and the constant travel was making him uncomfortable. He said his hip just couldn't take it, so he got off. He tried to walk and get some sleep."

With no money for another bus ticket and the week's stormy weather overhead, the man found shelter beneath an overpass for a few days.

"He had been out in the weather for four days," Autrey said. "Gary went above and beyond to help, he took the time to hear this man's story and realize his needs. He called me and told me about the guy. We had to help.

"Gary brought him up to the police department. Trevor Gesik, the jail administrator, told us what we had to work with."

With the man finally out of the elements and under a roof, members of KPD's Tuesday evening shift worked to give him a bit of aid before sending him on his way.

"Trevor had us take him back to get a shower and a jumpsuit,"

Autrey said. "I found some old clothes that could fit him.

"Andrea Walsh, one of the jailors, warmed up some of our leftover meals for him and wrapped up his feet in warm towels."

Autrey also purchased a new coat for the man from Kilgore's

Walmart. The man's clothes were washed, and Autrey made arrangements with a shelter in Longview for the man. Afterwards, Pullen drove the man to his temporary lodging.

"I had an instructor in the academy that told me that there's more people out there who need our help than our handcuffs," Autrey said.

Wednesday morning, KPD posed the story on the department's Facebook wall, detailing the efforts of Tuesday's night shift. Since then, the story has collectedhundreds of "likes".

With the support of hundreds behind the team's actions, Autrey -- a Kilgore native -- insists many in the community would have done the same thing.

"I was born and raised in Kilgore," he said. "There's an abundance of helping people in this community and I think that there's more people than we think out there who would do the same thing.

"I'd just ask to pass it on. If you see somebody in need, reach out and help."