A homeless man was just reunited with his two daughters for the first time in 24 years thanks to the efforts of some compassionate police officers.
José Lopez, 61, lost contact with his family after he moved to Miami, Florida and suffered a series of strokes that left him on the streets. Earlier this month, Lopez spent all of the money in his social security account to buy a ticket to New Jersey in the hopes of finding his family.
When he arrived at Secaucus Junction, Lopez’s mental health problems made it impossible to remember much about where his daughters were located. All that he could recall was that their location had something to do with Bradley Beach. Luckily, Lopez was found by a crisis outreach staffer, who brought him to the NJ Transit Police Department for help.
NJ Transit Officer Sean Pfeifer took it upon himself to help Lopez after the homeless man explained his situation. The officer went about calling two dozen different phone numbers in the Bradley Beach area. Finally, as fate would have it, Pfeifer ended up leaving a voicemail on the answering machine of Lopez’s daughter.
When the daughter returned Pfeifer’s call, she arranged for her and her sister to be reunited with their dad. The reunion brought tears to the eyes of everyone in the room for it.
A tearful, heartwarming reunion! NJ Transit Police reunite a homeless man with his family after 24 years!! Jose Lopez not only got to hug his daughters, he met his grandkids for the first time! Lopez was given a shave and a haircut, plus new clothes for the big reunion moment. pic.twitter.com/puIYKRp2QW
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) August 20, 2019
Not only did Lopez get to see his daughters for the first time in 24 years, he also got to meet his grandchildren for the first time.
“I’m thinking I’m in heaven,” he later said. “I got my two best girls [back].”
Lopez’s daughters are now caring for him themselves until they can find permanent housing for him close by. The police officers have also enrolled him in a mental health program so that he can get the help he needs.
Find out more about this incredible story in the video below.
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