WILTON — Newspapers were piling up and the same lights were on each night at a customer’s house.

James Knox of Wilton, a Sun Journal carrier, had a feeling something was not right.

He called police that cold night in January, Chief Heidi Wilcox said Thursday as her department honored him.

The presentation was made during the annual Franklin County Senior, Caregivers and Family Resource Fair at the Wilton Public Safety Building.

“No one knew that a disabled 52-year-old man was alone in that home, incapable of contacting help when his caregiver, a family member, passed unexpectedly,” she said.  “Your call clearly saved that man’s life and enabled him to receive the emergency assistance he desperately needed.”

A police check, based on Knox’s call, brought those emergency services to the home. The disabled man is now doing well, Wilcox said.

Knox told the nearly 80 participants at the Senior Fair that he did not know the outcome of his call until Wilcox just announced it.

“You keyed us in,” Wilcox told him. “We found a man who had passed and the disabled man who was unable to call out for help. He would have perished. The department and the community are thankful you were looking out for your neighbor, just as we all need to do,” she said.

“You, Jim, and the many great people of this community who work together with police, watching over our neighbors of all ages are vital to keeping our hometown and its residents safe,” Wilcox said.  “We are blessed to have you here.”

A newspaper carrier since 1998, Knox’s route takes him from the Mt. Blue Shopping Center in Farmington to Livermore Falls. He has some customers in Wilton.

Knox, 70, knew the customer from his bus driving days. The customer drove in another school district.

Knox drove bus for Regional School Unit 9 for 16 years, taking students to Academy Hill and Cushing schools in Wilton.

He also knew the customer cared for a disabled man who used a wheelchair, he said.

“I could see things were just not right,” he said. 

Knox said he didn’t usually see the customer but knew, from house lights, that the man was often up when he delivered. But, for a few nights, it was the same lights that were on and no one was picking up the paper, he said.

It is officers like those in the Wilton Department who help make the nighttime deliveries easier and safer, Knox said.

“He is the best paper boy we have ever had,” said Lincoln Flagg of Wilton who congratulated him. “Even during a storm, he never misses a beat.”                           

Knox said he takes storms in stride.

“I keep in mind how many days are storm days compared to the rest of the year,” he said. “The good outweighs the bad.”

Knox also acknowledged how the Sun Journal has reminded carriers to be alert and watch out for customers and changes on their routes.

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