MISSION, Kansas When a Kansas police officer responded to a call about a suspicious person in a park, he never thought hed be inspired by an unlikely friend.
Samuel Meixueiro is a little rough around the edges, but is willing to go to great lengths to get an apartment of his own, according to ABC News. Hes so determined, he walks five hours each day from the church where he is staying to his job at a liquor store a few cities over.
Sometimes I have to sleep outside because I want to keep my job, Meixueiro told WDAF News. Thats just how it is.
Last week, Meixueiro was taking a rest from his commute at a local park when Roeland Park police Officer Zach Stamper approached him and asked him what he was doing there. Meixueiro explained his situation to Stamper, who was immediately touched by his story.
I felt for the guy, Stamper told ABC. My commute, I get in my vehicle and drive to work. Its five minutes. This guy, his job means everything to him I thought, OK, lets try to get this guy some help.
So Stamper gave Meixueiro a lift to work, but their story doesnt end there. Stamper went home and found a duffel bag to give to Meixueiro, since he noticed the bag hed been carrying with him had a broken zipper, ABC reports.
He drove back to the liquor store and presented Meixueiro with the bag.
I said, Youre trying to make the best out of a bad situation that youre in, and I respect that,' Stamper told ABC.
But he couldnt stop thinking about his new friend. When he returned to work at the police station, he explained the situation to his chief, who suggested that he take one of the bikes the city had on hand that had either been abandoned or surrendered and give it to Meixueiro to help ease his commute.
Stamper cleaned the bike and put air in the tires, and returned to Meixueiros work to surprise him.
I cried, Meixueiro told WDAF. I couldnt believe it. Things are so hard for me right now. Any kind of help is just a blessing.
Stamper says he was the one who feels lucky to have come across Meixueiro that day in the park.
It made my day, he said. It made my career.
The newfound friendship looks to be a lasting one the two men exchanged information and say they plan to stay in touch, WDAF reports.
This is the second time in months that the Roeland Park Police Department has made headlines for good. In July, an officer who caught a mother of six stealing diapers from Walmart spent hundreds of dollars out of his own pocket to purchase the diapers and shoes for her.
Samuel Meixueiro is a little rough around the edges, but is willing to go to great lengths to get an apartment of his own, according to ABC News. Hes so determined, he walks five hours each day from the church where he is staying to his job at a liquor store a few cities over.
Sometimes I have to sleep outside because I want to keep my job, Meixueiro told WDAF News. Thats just how it is.
Last week, Meixueiro was taking a rest from his commute at a local park when Roeland Park police Officer Zach Stamper approached him and asked him what he was doing there. Meixueiro explained his situation to Stamper, who was immediately touched by his story.
I felt for the guy, Stamper told ABC. My commute, I get in my vehicle and drive to work. Its five minutes. This guy, his job means everything to him I thought, OK, lets try to get this guy some help.
So Stamper gave Meixueiro a lift to work, but their story doesnt end there. Stamper went home and found a duffel bag to give to Meixueiro, since he noticed the bag hed been carrying with him had a broken zipper, ABC reports.
He drove back to the liquor store and presented Meixueiro with the bag.
I said, Youre trying to make the best out of a bad situation that youre in, and I respect that,' Stamper told ABC.
But he couldnt stop thinking about his new friend. When he returned to work at the police station, he explained the situation to his chief, who suggested that he take one of the bikes the city had on hand that had either been abandoned or surrendered and give it to Meixueiro to help ease his commute.
Stamper cleaned the bike and put air in the tires, and returned to Meixueiros work to surprise him.
I cried, Meixueiro told WDAF. I couldnt believe it. Things are so hard for me right now. Any kind of help is just a blessing.
Stamper says he was the one who feels lucky to have come across Meixueiro that day in the park.
It made my day, he said. It made my career.
The newfound friendship looks to be a lasting one the two men exchanged information and say they plan to stay in touch, WDAF reports.
This is the second time in months that the Roeland Park Police Department has made headlines for good. In July, an officer who caught a mother of six stealing diapers from Walmart spent hundreds of dollars out of his own pocket to purchase the diapers and shoes for her.