SJ cops make golden gesture for Special Olympian

PALMYRA - Two officers had the chance to make a city man's day last week when they answered a report of a stolen bike.

On Friday, Sgt. Stephen Coveleski and Patrolman Alex Hubel answered a call from Noelle Stevens, who said her son's bike had been stolen from the front porch.

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"He was just so upset Friday night," Stevens said of her 29-year-old son Wayne Stevens, a 2014 Special Olympics medal winner. Wayne, who took home a bronze medal in tennis for Team New Jersey that year, suffers from multiple health problems, including hearing loss and delayed cognitive ability. He has been involved with the Special Olympics for five years playing multiple sports.

When the officers saw how upset Stevens was about his stolen bike they knew they had to do something.

Unsuccessful at finding the missing bike, officers pooled their money to buy Stevens a new bike at the end of their shift.

The officers personally delivered the new bike to Stevens the next day.

Noelle Stevens said her son was surprised at the gesture.

"At first, he didn't believe the bike was his but then he put his hand over his heart and his jaw dropped and said, 'Wow!'"

Wayne Stevens immediately took his new Roadmaster mountain bike out for a spin around the block.

"He rode all night, until it rained, and was riding outside the entire weekend," she added. Noelle said she was floored when she saw the officers walking up to her house with the new bike.

"I had no idea they would do something like that. Just to look at Wayne's face when we told him the bike was for him brought tears to my eyes," she said.

SEE ALSO: Area teens win Special Olympics medals

Chief Scott Pearlman said giving back to the community is nothing new to his police force.

"Our officers are fully committed to the residents we serve," Pearlman said.

Pearlman noted that the same day Coveleski and Hubel were shopping for the new bike, several other officers were preparing to take a group of local students from Charles Street School to a Phillies game, something the department has been doing for four years.

"Palmyra is a small town and you get to know people. Our officers try to go above and beyond every day for them," Pearlman added.

"They're a good group of guys," Noelle said of the police officers.

Matt Flowers: (856) 486-2913; mflowers@gannettnj.com