Letter of a good deed
Editor’s Note: Changing two flat tires for a motorist stranded in a construction zone is a good deed, but paying for a replacement tire out of one’s own pocket is where the rubber really meets the road for a Palestine woman. That’s what Michael Unit officers Michael Reavis and Joseph Stringer did for Phyllis Simpson in early June as she and her granddaughter were traveling to Tyler. Following is an edited version of a letter she sent to the Region II Director’s Office to express her gratitude for two good Samaritans who did themselves and the agency proud.
June 20, 2010
Region II Director’s Office:
Just when I felt that I had lost all faith in humanity, God sent me two guardian angels in TDCJ uniforms to change my mind. On Saturday, June 12, 2010, my granddaughter and I were entering Frankston where the road construction is and we were forced off the road by an oncoming car, which caused me to hit a curb, blowing out both tires on one side of my vehicle. I pulled over to the nearest driveway to get off of the road and got both of us safely up into a yard. Several cars passed by, then one turned around and came to our rescue. Officer Joey Stringer and Officer Michael Reavis, both of the Michael Unit, stepped out and immediately started changing my tire. They then took the other tire to the nearby tire shop and had a used tire put on for me. They worked together like two fine-tuned machines.
When I tried to pay them for helping me, they refused to take any money. They followed me to the tire shop to make sure I was okay and that the right amount of air was in the tires. When they left, I turned to pay the attendant and he told me that the two men had paid for my tire. I am sorry, but I am still in shock over the incredible care and concern that they gave to me. I know what TDCJ guards are paid, and I am sure that buying the tire for someone that they did not even know put a strain on their budgets. These two precious men have certainly renewed my faith and blessed me beyond measure. They are a fantastic representation of the TDCJ uniforms they were wearing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making a horrible situation into a tremendous blessing. By the way, they had been at work since the beginning of their shift at six o’clock the night before. They were supposed to be off at 6:00 a.m., but stayed and worked over because of their relief shift being shorthanded. By the time they reached me it was about 10:30 a.m. I know their families must be so proud of the young men. I am honored that I had the privilege to meet them.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Simpson
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
