An Akron thrift store shopper was on one of her frequent treasure hunts when she stumbled upon a New York Police Department Medal of Valor in a bag of costume jewelry. Now, she's honored to play an important role in getting it back home.
Lori Kline, 47, found the medal in its original green box, along with a tiny charm that said "Made with Love" at the Village Discount Outlet on Waterloo Road in Akron.
A quick Google search explained the story behind a medal that carried honorable importance but was forgotten and lost for years. The medal belonged to nine-year veteran John Morrissey of the NYPD and veteran of World War I.
The medal is the department’s third highest honor and given for acts of outstanding personal bravery.
"It’s like reading a whole story and not having the last two chapters, I’ll never know how it ended up here," Kline said.
On March 16, two NYPD lieutenants plan to visit Barberton to get the 74-year-old brass medallion back in the hopes of reuniting it with the next of kin, If not, the medal will be on display at police headquarters.
Kline says a piece of her will go to New York with the medal.
"I feel like he’s with me now, I don’t know why, I am ready to cry just thinking about giving this metal back, it’s going to be a sad day," said Kline with tears in her eyes.
