Unstoppable Journey: Cop Discovers Man's Incredible 20-Mile Walk to Work
The cop car pulled up alongside him, but he continued to plot forward.
But the cop car continued to follow. He had to make it, 10 miles to go, and he'd be safe.
From Hurricane Survivor to Hero: The Inspiring Journey of Walter Carr
He looked at his watch and walked faster. His legs burning as he powered on. But there was no deterring this policeman.
Walter Carr had moved to Homewood, Alabama with his mother after tragedy struck. They had hoped to rebuild their lives after their home was destroyed by the Monster Hurricane Katrina and wanted a fresh start. Walter was a 20-year-old student, but he was determined to work to support his mother.
Walter's Unexpected Setback on his New Job Hunt: A Car Breakdown
Little did he know just how hard that would prove to be. Walter had heard that there was a position available at Bell Hops, a moving company about 20 miles away from where he lived. It was far to travel, but he had his trusty old car, so he drove over and filled in the application and was lucky to get an interview right then and there.
He shook the hiring manager's hand and agreed to start the very next day. If only it were so easy. Just a few feet away from his driveway, his old car spluttered to a halt.
Twenty Miles from Salvation: A Breakdown Story
Walter's heart started to race as he opened the hood and peered inside. Of all days, his car chose this one to finally give in and die. To his dismay, smoke poured from the engine and he knew that there would be no starting it again.
Walter pulled out his phone to tell the manager of Bell Hops that he wouldn't be starting after all. Then he changed his mind. Walter was young and fit, but still, 20 miles is an impossible distance.
Walter's Journey: A Test of Resilience and Determination
But Walter was determined. Maybe he could do it. He keyed in the address into Google Maps.
Then he started to cry and defeat. It would take him seven hours to get there on foot, and he had no money to get his car repaired. What could Walter do?
Midnight Hustle: A Struggle for Survival
He needed this job. His mother was unable to make house payments, and they could find themselves homeless again within a month. Walter simply couldn't let that happen.
He had to try, so he set his alarm for 12 a.m. and tried to get a good night's sleep. When 12 a.m. rolled around, Walter awoke. He pulled on his most comfortable sneakers through on his jacket and set off into the night.
One Man's 20-Mile Race Against Time: Walter's Grueling Pursuit of Job Retention
It would take seven hours to get there, but he was determined to reach the Bell Hops client on time. As if walking the back breaking 20 miles wasn't enough, life decided to throw Walter another curveball. Walter had started his walk at a brisk pace, but by the time he reached the halfway mark, his legs were shaking.
Sweat poured from his face and his feet burned. He had walked over 10 miles, and the exertion was taking its toll. The thought of losing his job on the first day kept him going, as he focused on moving one foot after the other, again and again.
Chased at Dawn: A Midnight Runner's Encounter with the Police
Then he saw the flash of blue. He had been too focused on keeping his legs moving to notice, but a car had been following him for at least the last 10 minutes. It was 4.20 a.m.
and he still had miles and miles to go. Then the car flashed its light and blared its short warning siren, and he knew they were there for him. Walter turned his head to see the cop car rolling up beside him.
Late Night Run-In: A Cop, a Clock, and a Chase
Where are you rushing off to, buddy? The cop asked, pointedly. He had had a rough and late night on parole duty, and the last thing he wanted was more trouble.
Walter gasping for breath tried to answer him without breaking his stride. He was all too aware that the clock was ticking. The cop had seen enough and ordered Walter into the car.
Determined Youth Stuns Jaded Cop on Midnight Encounter
He didn't care to find out what this young man was doing in the street at this late hour. As far as he was concerned, he was up to no good. But when Walter mustered enough breath to tell him the reason for his late night walk about, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Officer Sean Gray had seen many things in his life, but this boy's determination astounded him beyond belief. They drove the next six miles in silence until Walter saw the house appear in the distance. Relief crashed over him like a wave.
Unstoppable Samaritan: The Incredible Journey of a Bellhop to Aid a Homeowner's Move
He had made it before time had run out. He thanked Officer Gray and shakely got out of the car. But there were still more surprises for Walter on that fateful day.
The police man escorted Walter to the door and told the homeowner, Jenny Hayden-Lamely, how he had traveled 14 miles on foot to help her with her move. She was flabbergasted by his dedication. When the rest of the bell hops crew arrived, Walter tirelessly got to work loading boxes onto the moving van.
Police at Dawn: The Facebook Post that Went Viral
He was exhausted, but he kept going. Then, Jenny wrote the post on Facebook that exploded overnight. Jenny's Facebook post read, yesterday was a long day, but a good day.
Chris and I woke up around 5.45 am to get everything staged and ready for our movers. Around 6.30 am the doorbell rang. It was a police officer.
Determined New Hire Walks All Night to Help with Move After Car Breakdown
He proceeded to tell us that he had picked up this nice kid in Palham early this morning. The nice kid, Walter, said he was supposed to help us with our move today. It was his first day with his moving company, Bell hops, and he was training today.
The officer proceeded to tell us that the previous evening, Walter's car broke down and he didn't know how he was going to get to work. So he left Homewood at midnight and started walking to Palham on 280. He walked all night to get from Homewood to Palham because he needed to get to work.
CEO Gifts Employee His Own Family Car after Fundraiser Exceeds Goal by $32,000
Jenny was so odd by Walter's determination to get to his job that she started to go fund me account to raise the money he needed to repair his car. The target was set at $2,000, but when the Netsons read Jenny's heartfelt post, the original amount was exceeded by a whopping $32,000. But soon after, Walter's actions got the attention of Bell hops CEO Luke Marklin.
Marklin immediately got into his Ford escape and drove it from Tennessee to Homewood. On his arrival he presented a gobsmacked Walter with the keys. Walter couldn't believe his eyes, the CEO of Bell hops had just given him his own family car.
Community Cheers Inspire Tearful Walter: A Powerful Tale of Unwavering Perseverance
It was all too overwhelming. And Walter started to cry. He had never experienced such kindness before, as the whole community rallied behind him and cheered him on.
Walter's exemplary behavior has inspired thousands of people and Jenny's original Facebook post has since garnered an astounding 2,000 shares and comments. One commenter wrote, I'm definitely really touched by his journey as well. It's impressive how we can give excuses to not do something, but then there are people like Walter who don't like excuses and just do it.
Walter's Midnight Venture: A Journey of Resilience and Determination
And another, life has made challenges. Walter passed the test. Gracious and humble man.
I can't imagine how many times on that lonely walk down 280 in the middle of the night did he want to turn back. How many times did he wonder if this was the best idea? How many times did he want to find a place to sit or lie down and wait till morning when he could maybe get someone to come pick him up and bring him back home?
Unstoppable Walter: A Symbol of American Determination Inspires a Social Media Movement
But he walked until he got here. Jenny wrote in awe. Walter's dedication to his job has become a symbol of the hardworking American, and his determination has even inspired a hashtag movement titled, Be Like Walter on social media.
But Walter remains humble and shrugs off the praise saying, I just walked. He aspires to become a marine one day, and he has definitely proved to the world that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to.