Officer takes in homeless teen. Years later, he pins a police badge on him.
Briefly

Jacob Bello's inspiring story highlights his journey from homelessness to becoming a police officer, thanks to the mentorship of Andy McIlveen, a retired police officer who offered him stability as a teenager. After growing up surrounded by addiction, Bello left his turbulent family home at 12, carrying little more than a blue duffel bag. Through the Chandler Police Department's youth program, he met McIlveen, who became a father figure and encouraged Bello to pursue his dream of law enforcement. Last year, Bello fulfilled that dream as he was pinned as a police officer by McIlveen, celebrating their bond.
A family had agreed to take in Bello, a homeless teenager, but he did not expect to stay there long - similar to his other living arrangements.
More than a decade later, McIlveen - now a retired police officer - cried as he pinned a badge onto Bello's police officer uniform last year.
Bello said he grew up in a Chandler home where there were severe addiction issues.
Not wanting to follow in his family's footsteps into addiction, Bello said he left his family home when he was 12.
Read at The Washington Post
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