Two boys who grew up in an Atlanta neighborhood known for heroin trafficking and crime thank one special detective for helping escape.
Brian Amey told Channel 2 Action News he got involved with crime and gang activity as a teenager and was almost shot to death when he was 15.
“I saw people get shot,” Amey said.
He and another teen from Center Street in northwest Atlanta, Cordell Cade, met Det. Alicia Turner at a Police Athletic League event. Turner learned they grew up around violent gang members and had no decent mentors near their homes.
So she took it upon herself to mentor the boys.
Turner managed to get them accepted into the Boys Town in Nebraska, a non-profit organization dedicated to caring for and schooling troubled kids, at no cost, according to Channel 2.
Amey just graduated the program with a 3.75 grade point average and Cordell, who’s a junior, is part of the National Honor Society.
“They’re two amazing boys and I feel very lucky to have them in my life,” Turner said.
But the young men say they are the lucky ones.
“She’s loving, very supportive,” Amey told Channel 2. “I love her a lot.”
About the Author
