Chris Gilmer, Hometown Hero

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The story of the 13-year-old young man, Kofi Louis, who had his bicycle stolen at gunpoint angered the community. The robber not only took Louis’ bike but his keychain containing his house key. Louis and his sister hardly slept for fear of the robber breaking into their house in the dead of night.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace along with Vicksburg Police Chief Milton Moore, Warren County Fire Coordinator Jerry Briggs and Reed Birdsong with Warren County Emergency Management, among others, came out to show their support for the Louis family and to let Kofi Louis and his sister, Alicia Louis, know they are not alone. Everyone was prepared to give money out of their pockets to ensure he got a new bike.

When Chris Gilmer of Vicksburg Locksmith heard about the families vulnerability because of the stolen key, he dropped everything to help. While the assembled law enforcement and community safety experts transported Louis and his sister to Walmart for a new bicycle, Gilmer stayed at the family home and installed a new lock on the door — a top-quality, high-dollar lock and dead bolt.

Gilmer would accept no money from anyone there for the lock, valued at several hundred dollars, or the service.

When the Louises and their new security team returned to the home, Kofi Louis was infatuated with his new bicycle. Briggs, Pace and Birdsong all started working to put on the new lights, and install batteries and water bottle holders. Gilmer took Louis aside and showed him the new front door lock.

Louis tested it a few times, closed and opened the door several times, and then had his sister stand inside and lock him out so he could test it some more. Over the next 15 minutes, while the gentlemen of the county were working on his bike, Kofi must have locked, unlocked and entered that door at least 10 times, each time looking in amazement at the craftsmanship and feeling a new sense of security with his new door locks.

To this observer, it seems Kofi may have been more pleased with his locks and door than with anything else. A sense of security can mean a lot, especially after what Louis had been through.

“They aren’t getting through this,” Louis told Gilmer with confidence.

For his selfless actions, his understanding of how the family felt, and his above-and-beyond efforts to make that family feel safe, the Vicksburg Daily News is honored to name Chris Gilmer the Vicksburg Daily News Hometown Hero for October 2020.

If you need locksmith service, please give Chris a call at Vicksburg Locksmith 601-529-0898.