DPD officer responds to call, provides life-saving solutions

When Senior Corporal Mark Gonzales responded to a burglary call on September 17, he had no idea that this routine call would become a chance to help a young man get his life back on track.

After Gonzales began to investigate, he determined that the home was abandoned, nothing had been taken and there were no signs of forced entry. As Gonzales surveyed the area, he came upon 21 year-old Chris Nwosu, who explained that his family kicked him out of their home and he had nowhere to go.

Gonzales’ compassion took over and he immediately consoled the young man and began looking for a place and program that could help him. Moved to tears by Gonzales’ kindness and sincerity, Nwosu asked, “Why are you helping me?” Gonzales simply replied, “Because that’s what we are here for.”

Gonzales took Nwosu to the Life Foundation, a Dallas-based nonprofit where homeless men, women and children can get help and hope and be put on a path to recovery and self-sufficient living. Nwosu enrolled in a six-month program which helps participants develop life skills and assists in finding jobs, food and housing.

By going above and beyond his duties to comfort a scared and helpless young man who had run out of options, Gonzales’ epitomizes the selfless dedication to serving the community that DPD officers’ exhibit daily as servants of Dallas.