Nineteen years ago, Mark Wallace entered the Detroit Police Academy with Sidney Taylor. Since then, they became partners and the best of friends.
They graduated December 2, 1996.
Last year Sidney, a big fan of Superman, was hospitalized due to heart trouble. His spirits were down while he was in the hospital, on the anniversary of their graduation, last December.
Mark decided to stop by his hospital room to cheer him up, wearing Superman pajamas.
“It was a full onesie pajamas,” said Officer Mark Wallace. “So I grabbed the back of the flap and I ran down the hallway, passed his room. The cape was flapping and everyone was laughing. He just shook his head and said 'Boy, you're are stupid.' He said 'I don’t believe you wore that up here.' I said, ‘You like it right?’ He said, ‘Yeah, can I get one?'.”
It later got the men to thinking what could they do to help others.
“He said, ‘Hey, lets do something for the homeless next year, once I get well.'," says Mark.
Sadly, Officer Sidney Taylor passed away that same month. One year later, Officer Mark Wallace is determined to carry out his partner’s dream.
With the help of other police officers, Mark’s family, and church community, he is putting together care packages for the homeless during the holidays.
The packages are filled with basic need items: deodorant, lotion, razors, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
“You try so hard for a goal,” said Mark. “Now if feel his heart is still beating.”
Mark believes that through Sidney’s wish to help others, there is another message too.
“It shows the public that police officers aren’t bad like we’ve been seeing,” said Mark. “That we do have hearts and we do care and we really want to do something.”
As he prepares to carry out his mission, he knows his partner is with him every step of the way.
“He’s always here,” said Mark. “Sidney would be proud and very happy and he would be smiling at all of us.”
Mark is still looking for more donations including hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, and hand warmers.
No monetary donations are needed.
You can contact Officer Mark Wallace at WheresWaldo3926@sbcgglobal.net.
