Two Rock Springs police officers and a group of dispatchers responding to a recent welfare check initiated a collection for an elderly resident.
When they saw the woman didn’t have enough food in her home, officers and members of Sweetwater Combined Communications bought groceries and a pizza for her.
Elizabeth Coontz, Rock Springs Police Department spokeswoman, told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that the officers and dispatchers asked not to be identified in connection with the act of kindness.
Coontz said there were about four dispatchers on shift who donated money out of pocket when the welfare check was carried out.
The call was May 29, but it wasn’t until Tuesday that the department let the community know about the generosity of the officers and dispatchers.
To Serve And Protect
“A concerned neighbor called in the welfare check,” Coontz said. “When the officers responded, they were determined not to leave her that way, so they radioed dispatch and then went to Walmart and picked up some groceries and bought her a pizza.”
Coontz said the department gets requests for welfare checks regularly and she advises people to call in on behalf of elderly people whenever “things don’t feel or look right.”
She cited doors left open or other things that look out of place as good reasons to request a welfare check.
A Rock Springs Police Department Facebook post says that while the officers and dispatchers want to be anonymous, “we want them to know how much we appreciate their generosity and companionship.”
In a subsequent update, the department acknowledged concern expressed by many Rock Springs residents who wanted to help the woman.
“Following this incident, officers learned that the elderly lady did have family that was helping her and ensuring she had adequate food and resources,” the RSPD posted.
“Residents should feel free to call us,” Coontz said. “We can help them with what they need or get them in touch with Adult Services.”
