Volunteer Recipient Thanks Stamford Police Department for Hard Work

On October 4th through the 7th, more than 18 Stamford Police officers volunteered time to , 95-year-old widow to former police officer Jimmy Foreman.

"I was very impressed with the amount of work that they did," Bea said. "They did work in my yard and inside my home. They were here for four whole days well into the night."

Bea wanted to make sure she publicly thanked the Stamford Police Department for all their hard work.The home was being renovated for sale so Bea could move to Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Center in Stamford. Brighton Gardens put Bea up free-of-charge for the duration of the renovations.

Bea was married to James Foreman, Stamford's first African-American police officer. Foreman was a patrolman for his entire career, which began in the mid-1930s and continued through his retirement from the force in 1977. Though retired, Foreman continued to attend Police Association meetings until his death in 2006 at the age of 92.

"Jimmy was never promoted in the police department," Bea said. "He died a patrolman. He was a very nonchalant and calm man. He was a man who loved his police work. People in the community who knew him then remember him as a tough policeman, but a fair one."

Bea highlighted that they loved Stamford and had been residents in the city for 45 years. They'd been active members in the community as well and both had a strong civic-mindedness. Bea and Jimmy were involved with as many as five different charitable organizations at any given time that helped put students through college.

"In my life, I like helping other people and so did Jimmy," Bea said. "We worked together to do whatever we could for the Stamford community. Because of that, I think he earned the greatest respect back from the community."

Foreman said it was so wonderful to be on the receiving end and see how strong the bond between police officers in Stamford remains even after death.

"I really, thoroughly appreciate all their hard work," Bea said. "I was shocked and pleased when I came home. The electrical wiring was a huge job and they painted everything. And they had to move all this heavy furniture to paint!"

Officers did a lot of work on the house, from giving it a power-washing to tearing down an old, rotting shed. They painted most of the house and replaced the wiring and front walkway. The driveway was also scheduled to get a makeover, a job that had to wait for all the work trucks to be moved to be completed.

The house, located at 132 Oaklawn Ave., is on the market for $355,000. Interested parties should contact realtor Kimberly Tapscott at 203.252.8327 or kimberlytapscott@kw.com.