When a 10-year-old boy called 911 asking for math help, the dispatcher’s heart sank—but his request wasn’t just a homework worry. He fumbled, “I know I’m not supposed to call 911 for this, but I really need help with my math homework.” Still, dispatcher Kim Krause didn’t hang up — she asked for the problem: a decimal-related question. Unable to help directly, she checked for an available deputy.
Deputy Chase Mason, who admits he’s “not stellar at math,” happened to be nearby. He dropped everything, knelt beside the boy’s kitchen table, and helped him solve the problem. The sheriff’s office later praised the moment as “a powerful lesson in community service”.
Afterwards, Mason gently reminded the boy that 911 should be reserved for real emergencies — and even gave him a business card with a non-emergency line to use next time.
It was more than just solving math. For that child, it was a reminder: help exists in unexpected places, and sometimes, real heroes don’t just save lives — they build them.
