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Usually, when cops talk to Rodney Hapney, 42, it’s because they’re arresting the transient for trespassing or some other minor, though troublesome, offense. Police went looking for Hapney yesterday for a different reason — to thank him.
Hapney, who lives occasionally in a homeless shelter at 35th Avenue and Buckeye, recently found a wallet containing a Department of Corrections badge, ID, credit cards, and cash. After he turned over the wallet to a police officer, and the victim was reunited with the wallet, cops learned that not a single buck was missing.
Phoenix police officer Jerry Paprocki “was so amazed by these developments that he immediately went out to find Mr. Hapney” again, says a police write-up of the good deed. Paprocki submitted a memo recommending Hapney for an award.
Yesterday, the homeless man received the “Good Citizens” award, presented by Phoenix police Commander Benny Pina.
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Today, Hapney’s probably wondering what the heck he was thinking.
