Wooden Cane Returned to 90-Year-Old Veteran in California
A wooden cane, hand-carved and of great sentimental value to a 90-year-old veteran from California, has been returned after his family sought help from the community to locate it.
Kim Manriquez, the daughter of Jim Price, turned to social media to ask the Fresno community for assistance in finding her father’s cherished maple cane. She believed it was misplaced during a visit to a nearby Costco a few weeks prior, but despite returning to the store several times, she couldn’t find it.
“A Costco employee helped fill the car with water, but my father left the cane in the cart. He went back shortly after, but it was gone,” said Manriquez.
She emphasized her father’s accomplishments, stating, “He’s 90 years old, a retired veteran police officer, and a committed community member. This beautiful cane was crafted by another retired police officer.”
Local news outlets began covering the story, interviewing Mr. Price to raise awareness about the search for his cane. This cane, not just a functional item, symbolized his long service as an Air Force veteran and his experience as a prominent Fresno police officer for 35 years before retirement.
He noted the significance of the items attached to it, saying, “The little police badge underneath was a motorcycle wing. The American flag represented my honor flight, and below that was a small image of the Air Force emblem.”
After the coverage, an employee at Gibson Farm Market, located on the California State University, Fresno campus, discovered the cane and promptly notified the police regarding its whereabouts.
In a heartfelt message shared on Tuesday, Kim expressed her gratitude to those who assisted in retrieving the cherished family item. “I want to thank everyone who shared, commented, and helped me with my father’s cane,” she wrote. “It really warmed my heart to see so many people concerned.”
Even after retiring from the police force, Price continues to engage actively with his community, serving as an instructor at the Veterans Memorial Museum in downtown Fresno.
