Woman thanks IMPD officers for pushing her wheelchair home after breaking down
Dec 20, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS - An Indianapolis woman is thanking two IMPD officers for going the extra mile after her electric wheelchair broke down on the side of the road.
A video shared by IMPD shows the moment the two officers pushed home 24-year-old Jazlyn Wilson’s power wheelchair after breaking down near 38th Street and German Church Road.
"I was just real thankful to get home because that’s all I had wanted to do that night anyway, was go home and be with my Mamaw," Wilson said.
Jazlyn was initially stuck in the cold and dark near passing traffic. She said it was overwhelming, especially since a car crash a few years ago is why she is in a wheelchair today.
"I got hit by a car in 2020 the day before Thanksgiving," Jazlyn told FOX59/CBS4. "So that’s where my trauma and my panic definitely came in. My mom was like, ’I'm going to need you to breathe for me. You panicking is not going to do nothing. It’s just going to make it worse for you.'"
After a few unsuccessful attempts to get the chair moving again or loaded into a car, Officer Blake Moothery told his colleague, Officer Dante Granger, that he was going to push Jazlyn’s wheelchair home.
"She was in need," Officer Moothery said. "I have what I would consider a servant’s heart. So, I did what I could to best help her in the way."
A family member drove Jazlyn as officers Moothery and Granger took turns pushing the chair. It was about a quarter to a half mile distance from the intersection to Jazlyn’s home.
That might not seem like a lot but do not forget just how heavy these devices are. Jazlyn and the officers estimate her chair weighs a few hundred pounds. So naturally, officers needed a little motivation to push the wheelchair down the road.
"He decided, ‘I’m going to push this thing’ so I just got in my vehicle, turned my red lights on, followed behind him and played a little motivational music over my PA for him," Officer Granger described.
Granger played "Eye of the Tiger" as Moothery began pushing the wheelchair along.
"It definitely pushed me to go a little bit further than I thought I was going to be able to," Granger said. "So that was awesome."
This was the highlight of the night, Jazlyn said.
"Are they serious? I said, 'They’re dead serious,'" Jazlyn laughed. "And I couldn’t stop laughing because I’m like, 'I like them already.' They’re too fun, spontaneous and encouraging one another."
Both officers said it was a humbling experience and they said moments like these strengthen their calling.
"This job in of itself is difficult; the things that we experience, the things that we go through," Officer Moothery said. "But I would say it’s a very humbling and rewarding career to be in."
"It felt rewarding just to interact with her and to get the job done for her," Officer Granger added.
What might seem like a small deed most certainly had a big impact.
"They were fun," Jazlyn said. "They still had a smile on their faces and it just means a lot to me. There are some good ones. It lets you know there are some good ones still in the world."