The police car pulled up alongside him as he continued to drive. He knew he had another 10 miles to go to be safe and started walking faster, feeling his legs burn. Still, the police kept following him. Walter had moved to Homewood, Alabama with his mother after losing their home to Hurricane Katrina, hoping for a fresh start. At 20, he was determined to help his mother financially. Walter learned of a job opening at Bellhops, a moving company 20 miles away.
Despite the long drive, he drove there to apply and was lucky enough to get an interview, which led to an immediate job offer the next day. However, right outside his house, Walter’s car suddenly broke down. He panicked when he noticed smoke coming from the engine, indicating that the car would not start. Initially, he considered telling his supervisor that he couldn’t start work, but then he reconsidered. Driven by necessity, he entered the address into Google Maps but found it was a seven-hour walk.
Feeling defeated but not wanting to miss the opportunity, he set his alarm for midnight. At 12am, Walter woke up, put on comfortable shoes, and set off through the night. Despite the arduous 20-mile walk, he was determined to make it on time. Halfway there, he was exhausted – his legs were shaking, he was sweating profusely, and his feet were aching, but the thought of losing his job kept him going. Suddenly, he noticed a police car behind him. It was 4:20am and he still had a long way to go. The police pulled up next to him and asked where he was going.
Out of breath, Walter explained his situation, and Officer Sean Gray was amazed at his determination. They drove the remaining six miles in silence until Walter finally saw his destination and felt a huge sense of relief. After thanking Officer Gray, Walter stepped outside, but more surprises awaited him. The officer introduced Walter to the homeowner, Jenny Hayden, explaining how far he had walked to help her move. Amazed by his dedication, she shared Walter’s story on Facebook, where it quickly went viral.
Jenny described her long day, mentioning how the officer had driven Walter to work despite his car breaking down. Inspired by his perseverance, she launched a GoFundMe campaign to help repair his car, initially setting a goal of $2,000 but eventually raising more than $32,000. Soon after, Bellhops CEO Luke Marklin learned of Walter’s efforts and drove from Tennessee to meet him, donating a family car. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Walter cried as the community rallied behind him. His inspiring act garnered 2,000 shares online, sparking the “Be Like Walter” movement. Despite the attention, Walter remained humble, saying he was just walking. He dreams of becoming a Marine, proving that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.
