A former Mississippi law enforcement officer has been gifted a mortgage-free smart home courtesy of a charitable organization dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and their families.
On Tuesday, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation purchased and renovated a home for John David Wynne, a former narcotics detective with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office. The home features a more accessible bathroom, a pull-down shelving suited for individuals in wheelchairs, and a generator to power the house if the electricity ever goes out.
Wynne began his career in law enforcement in the mid-1990s and served in a multitude of roles in Hinds and Rankin counties, with his final stop as a narcotics investigator. In 2013, the officer attempted to pull over an alleged “known drug dealer,” but the suspect refused to stop.
A high-speed pursuit ensued with the chase leading all parties involved across two counties. Both Wynne and the unidentified suspect crashed into a tree that had fallen across the roadway. The impact left Wynne with a brain injury, causing him to endure multiple seizures daily and constant migraines. He also sustained several spinal injuries, resulting in surgery and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In addition to the other amenities, technology that allows the former officer to control various electronics in the home by phone has been added. Wynne can use his cellular device to operate lights, the thermostat, his security system, speakers, and other items within the residence.
Tunnel to Towers was founded in tribute to New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed during the terroristic attacks on September 11, 2001.