Neighbor helping neighbor: Newspaper carriers alert police to fallen customer

July 31, 2012

Brayden Lehew, left, and Peggy M. Martinez deliver a newspaper to the home of Henrietta Hill last week. When the newspaper carriers noticed the previous day’s paper was still on the front porch, they alerted police, who found Hill on the floor in her home after suffering a mild heart attack. (Staff photo/Shawn Yorks)

In small-town America, neighbors look out for each other.
And Guymon Daily Herald newspaper carriers Peggy M. Martinez and Brayden Lehew are two perfect examples of that sentiment.
Lehew, 14, and his “Nana” have been carriers for years, and have gotten to know most of the people they deliver to everyday.
That’s why when they delivered the paper to the home of Henrietta Hill last week, they thought it highly unusual that the 89 year-old’s front door was closed. No matter the weather, Hill’s door is always open, and Brayden and Peggy often stop and chat.
The two left the newspaper at the front door.
But when they delivered the next day, the paper hadn’t moved. They knew something was wrong.
“I should have known (the day before) that something was wrong,” Martinez said. “But I thought ‘Well, she laid down to take a nap.’”
“I was a little suspicious,” Brayden said.
But Hill hadn’t taken a nap.
Peggy called the police, but police policy doesn’t allow them to break into a home unless they are certain something’s amiss.
“We knew she was in there,” Peggy said.
After an hour’s wait, during which time they located Hill’s pastor, the police made entry into the home.
“They looked in a window and saw her foot sticking out,” Peggy said. “She was in there, OK.”
Peggy was told that Hill had suffered a mild heart attack, and it was estimated the woman was on the floor for 27 hours.
“They expect her to be home sometime this week, and she will be staying at the house, still,” Peggy said.
And when Hill returns home, you can bet Peggy and Brayden will be among the first to greet her.
“Immediately,” Peggy said.
As for keeping an eye out for your neighbors, the two have one message:
“Just keep a very, very close eye out, not only on the elderly, but your regular neighbors,” Martinez said. “You never know. Especially the elderly, if you see anything suspicious or if they don’t move their vehicle or you don’t see them, you need to check.”