With three small mouths to feed and no food in the fridge, Faith Dashner was at the end of her rope. But a call to the police department turned out to be her saving grace. And now she's telling others about the officer with a big heart.
Faith's husband Pete called police on Saturday to tell them his wife wanted to take her own life. She was extremely upset because there wasn't enough food to feed their family.
"I said that's it, I'm done, I don't want to be here anymore," says Faith. "Just leave me alone."
TPD Officer Mel Woods answered that Saturday call, and says the Dashner's story touched his heart.
"I told my wife at home, I've got something on my mind. Young kids told me they were hungry and you know what, I didn't do nothing. But I'm going to go back tomorrow...and I did."
The following day he brought a hundred dollars worth of food to their home just to make sure the family would have something to eat.
"It was about the children. Whey they said they hadn't ate, and didn't have any transportation to go get anything, that will touch your heart," says Woods.
"All the tear works started to come out. I said 'Mel, you didn't have to do this'. But he said I did it because I was thinking about you guys," says Faith.
Faith and her husband don't know how they can thank Woods for all he's done, but they promise to try. His co-workers call him an inspiration to everyone, and a walking example of true kindness.
"There are nice cops out there," says Faith. "He went way beyond the call of duty."
**Food and gift card donations for this family can be sent or taken to Compelled Church**
The address is 8970 Jackman Road, Temperance, MI 48182
The church CANNOT accept monetary donations, but leaders will make sure any food or gift cards get to the Dashner family. For more info, contact Pastor Rick Flood at 734-850-0051.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:15:15 GMT
Most of us wouldn't be able to swim across Lake Erie, so imagine doing it with a debilitating condition. A Maumee man with Crohn's disease is training to cross the lake to help raise money and awareness
Maumee man set to swim across Lake Erie in an effort to raise money for help Crohn's disease research.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:12:43 GMT
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro tagged along during their visit.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:09:35 GMT
Changes in technology are forcing Blissfield Manufacturing to close one plant and expand another. The company made the tough decision to shut down its Portland, Indiana plant as the owners work hard
Blissfield company announces it is closing a plant in Indiana and consolidating operations in its Blissfield headquarters adding 73 jobs.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:06:31 GMT
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo. Investigators say Jacob Rosas met the suspect to sell a car to him, but the suspect
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:41 GMT
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:18 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:18:19 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire in Toledo. The fire broke out at a home on the 1100 block of Avondale just after 11:30pm Tuesday. Dispatchers tell us heavy flames are showing.
Toledo firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire in Toledo. Firefighters say they found a strong odor of gasoline inside of the home, indicating the house was possibly the target of a firebombing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:15:15 GMT
Most of us wouldn't be able to swim across Lake Erie, so imagine doing it with a debilitating condition. A Maumee man with Crohn's disease is training to cross the lake to help raise money and awareness
Maumee man set to swim across Lake Erie in an effort to raise money for help Crohn's disease research.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:12:43 GMT
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief
Five St. Ursula students traveled to Washington, DC to be honored with the Jefferson Award for Community Service. As part of their trip, they met with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro tagged along during their visit.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:09:35 GMT
Changes in technology are forcing Blissfield Manufacturing to close one plant and expand another. The company made the tough decision to shut down its Portland, Indiana plant as the owners work hard
Blissfield company announces it is closing a plant in Indiana and consolidating operations in its Blissfield headquarters adding 73 jobs.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:06:31 GMT
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo. Investigators say Jacob Rosas met the suspect to sell a car to him, but the suspect
A warrant has been issued for a suspect in a shooting Tuesday afternoon. It happened on Jervis near Bloomfield in Toledo.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:51:41 GMT
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
After more than 4 inches of rain in the first half of June, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Spraying is underway in hopes of reducing the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:50:16 GMT
Royal Cravings opened its newest and biggest location Wednesday. The new location is at 2111 North Reynolds Road, next to Schmucker's Good Food. The shop has added 32 flavors of ice cream to their menu
Royal Cravings opened its newest and biggest location Wednesday. The new location is at 2111 North Reynolds Road, next to Schmucker's Good Food.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:36:45 GMT
A woman told authorities she was held captive for more than a year by three people who forced her to do housework, raided her bank account and menaced her with snakes and pit bulls. But an attorney
A woman told authorities she was held captive for more than a year by three people who forced her to do housework, raided her bank account and menaced her with snakes and pit bulls.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:34:58 GMT
Instead of enjoying summer fun, they're hitting the books so they can graduate. Around 80 students are enrolled in the STRIVE program this summer, hoping to pass the Ohio Graduation Test. For Robert Evans,
Instead of enjoying summer fun, they're hitting the books so they can graduate. Around 80 students are enrolled in the STRIVE program this summer, hoping to pass the Ohio Graduation Test.
Some additional federal dollars are coming to Ohio for housing demolitions, and some of that money is coming to Toledo. The Toledo Blade’s Tom Troy joins us with the details.