Chad Martin pushed to find out what was really going on

Chad Martin and the power of a community

Christie Hendley raises seven children from two months to eight years and she is their grandmother. Sometimes it’s overwhelming.

In 2017, when Christie hit a car in a parking lot, she cried. The Wilder Police officer who responded pushed to find out what was really going on. “She was supposed to have driving glasses didn’t have health insurance because even though she has a degree didn’t work taking care of the kids,” said Officer Chad Martin.

Officer Chad Martin asked questions until Christie told him the rest of the story.

“She told me self-esteem problems, needed dental work done everything was overwhelming to her you could have said have a nice day, it was one of those ‘God’ moments we were supposed to cross paths,” said Officer Martin.

Officer Martin remembered people who had helped him through tough times. He saw this as a way to give back. Garbig Family Eye Care agreed to help with those glasses. Turner Family Dentistry is pitching in too.

“We just want to make sure she gets confidence back,” said Dr. Bryan Turner of Turner Family Dentistry. “We want to give her a smile back.”

“It’s been almost a year since I smiled, I’m always hiding, I have to keep going I can’t stop because teeth are falling out,” said Christie.

Wilder Fort Thomas and Southgate Police and fire departments collected money to make sure everything is covered.

Officer Martin stopped by to tell Christie what’s happened since that fender bender.

“I instantly started tearing up, I don’t want a handout. We have everything we need we love each other. As far as community response all I want to say is thank you,” said Christie.

Officer Martin called meeting Christie an “eye-opening experience.” “No matter how tough you think your life is, someone is dealing with more, this was my eye-opener,” said Officer Martin.

In 2019, the Wilder Police Department promoted Chad Martin to the position of chief.

“Chad has a very diverse background,” Robert Arnold, the mayor of Wilder, wrote in a statement. “He is the kind of the forward-thinking leader of the City. At this time as we embark on implementing our comprehensive plan.”

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