One of Michael Paul's fondest memories of the beginning of his American journey took place after he drove his Jeep through a car wash in Post Falls. When the wash was complete Paul, a native of Iraq, got out to dry the Jeep off and inadvertently locked his keys, wallet and phone inside. Unsure of what to do, Paul told The Press that he walked into a nearby laundromat, where the employee suggested he use their phone to call 911. An officer Paul described as an amazing guy with a big smile arrived shortly after and quickly assisted him with getting into his car. The small act of kindness, Paul said, changed his life. "Where I come from, the cop is against me because we do not have freedom," he said. "The concept of a cop helping me open my car was something so different"/Keith Cousins, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

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