Troy Police Help Free Boy Caught in Pedals, Bring Him New Bicycle at Hospital

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 29, 2017)

Troy, MI – A family is grateful after Troy Police went over and above the call of duty to help a five-year-old boy who was injured and lost his bicycle Tuesday night.

Mary and her three children were coming home from a park near VanCourtland and Robinwood in Troy when her five year old son James got tangled in the pedals of his brand new bicycle.

“It was only his second time riding the bike and he fell,” Mary said.  “His leg slipped between the frame and the pedal and we couldn’t get it out.”

After trying to free the frightened child, Mary called the local police.  Officer Morgan, Officer Venier, Sgt. Bragg and Sgt. Gobler responded to the scene and also tried to free James. After giving it their best efforts, they called the Fire Department to send paramedics, who used pneumatic tools (aka the Jaws of Life), freeing the boy but destroying the bike in the process.

“They helped keep him calm,” Mary said.  “It was scary but they did a good job. They were wonderful, patient and kind.”

But then they surprised her even further.  In the time it took to take James to Children’s Hospital, the officers went to Walmart and used their own money to buy James  the same bicycle that had been destroyed.  They delivered it to him at the hospital as he waited for his X-rays.

“So many people don’t appreciate the police or how they are part of our community.  This was just amazing,” she said.  “They went and opened up their own wallets so a kid would not have to lose his bike.  That meant the world to him.”

She said James knew not to be afraid because she’d taught him from an early age that police and firefighters were there to help.  “Every year Troy has an open house where the kids get to tour the police station, crawl in and out of the police cars, watch the police dogs in action. They teach them what police do, and what firefighters do, so they aren’t afraid and know what to expect in an emergency,” she said.

Mary also was touched by the kindness of the neighbors as she and her family struggled on the sidewalk.  “It started to get dark and cold, so one neighbor brought out a blanket.  Another neighbor took my other two children home and kept them safe.  Other neighbors came out with tools.  It really showed this whole sense of community with everyone trying to help.”