For Angelenos, getting around in our massive, traffic-filled city is a significant part of daily life, especially if a bicycle is one’s primary mode of transportation. And no one knows that better than Olympic Division Officer Gordon Helper.
On August 27, 2015, around 5 p.m., Officer Helper was monitoring traffic when he saw a man on the street in a panic speaking with a local Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) supervisor. Frustrated and crying, the man was yelling something about a bicycle, and his dilemma soon became very clear. He’d failed to retrieve his bike from the rack on the front of a bus before it departed.
As the bicyclist threw his hands into the air, the MTA supervisor pointed to Officer Helper who was nearby; so the officer approached the distraught man. Visibly shaken and still crying, he confirmed what happened and informed Officer Helper that his bike was his only form of transportation besides taking the bus. “Get in [to the car], and we’ll go get your bike. Which way did the bus go?” asked the officer. After the man indicated a direction, they drove some distance and finally caught up with the bus where the bike was right where the man left it: still sitting snugly on the front of the bus.
Filled with gratitude and relief, the man literally thanked God for being able to reclaim his bicycle and gave Officer Helper a big hug. “Sir, please let me buy you a burger,” pleaded the man as the officer was preparing to leave.
That won’t be necessary,” said Officer Helper. “Your smile is payment enough.”
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That was selfless and beautiful! We need mite people like him!
Posted by: Samantha | September 08, 2024 at 02:21 PM
Egads. I know the feeling. It could happen to anyone.
One time I put my bike on the rack nd got on a bus that soon became overcrowded. I could not stay standing at the front of the bus because so many people were getting on at every stop. By we got to my destination, I'd been forced near the back of the bus and had to struggle to exit from the rear door, and was the last one off. The bus pulled away before I could get to the front to retrieve my bike. Luckily there was a taxi nearby and I had enough money on me to pay for it, so was able to chase down the bus in a mile or two and get my bike.
Kudos to the police officer for so kindly helping the man in this story.
But I have to question why the MTA supervisor could not have helped. Seems to me they ought to be capable of aiding passengers.
Posted by: Bruce | September 09, 2024 at 04:02 PM