Police union responds to resident in need

A local woman benefited from the kindness of a group of deputies with the Nye County Law Enforcement Association on Dec. 11.

It all began with a Dec. 9 call to the Nye County Sheriff’s Office from a local woman who was trying to find out if the sheriff’s office would know of anyone or could recommend someone to come and fix a leak in her roof.

The Pahrump Valley Times has made a commitment to protect the identity of this woman so we will call her “Jane Smith” for this story.

When you meet Smith, you would never know she is over 60 years young or that she might have more difficulties than can be seen from a passing glance.

Smith is a quiet, soft-spoken woman. She said this was the hardest thing for her to ask someone for help.

“I didn’t know who to contact,” Smith said. “I spoke with all my neighbors and no one seemed to know about anything. So, I figured if anyone would know, it would be the sheriff’s office. I needed someone to fix my roof because of the rain that was supposed to come.

Deputy Adam Tippetts responded to that call. After clearing the call, Tippetts mentioned the woman to a few other deputies and detectives. That is when the plan came together to help Smith.

Smith explained that her home developed a leak about a year ago and that has caused severe damage to the floors. She also said that she has no family in the area that could offer assistance or help with the yard work.

“Once I spoke to Boruchowitz, neither he nor I could have allowed Ms. Smith to remain in this situation without help,” Tippetts said. “That is when the entire union was contacted and plans were set in motion.”

David Boruchowitz, President of the Nye County Law Enforcement Association, said that Tippetts contacted him about a woman who was in need of help with yard work. After some discussion, seven off-duty members of law enforcement responded to her home on a brisk morning late last week to help clean up the yard and clear the roof of any debris.

“The roof was a mess,” Boruchowitz said. “There was a lot to do. There still is.”

He added this type of group project is a first for the union.

“We have brought food or helped others to buy food or stuff like that on an individual basis but nothing like this,” Boruchowitz said. “I think we will try our best to continue to do this from now on.”

The union goal is to raise $2,500 to fix the roof and the floors in the home.

Smith said the last time it rained she had to catch the water in buckets.

“I’m still in shock,” Smith said. “I just can’t believe people like this existed. I’m on a fixed income and I’ve lost all my savings. I can’t afford to hire anyone to clean this property.”

She is enrolled in some assistance programs, Smith explained, but they are limited to what they can do for her. She is grateful for the help.

“I know there are people worse off than me,” Smith said.

Boruchowitz said anyone wanting to donate to this project put “Smith” on the memo line and that any donations received will go directly to home repairs.

Mail donations to NCLEA, P.O. Box 5401, Pahrump, NV. 89048.

Contact reporter Michelle Hermann by emailing michelle.pvtimes@gmail.com.