New Bloomfield Mayor Mike Lowe and Police Sgt. Greg Mooney presented Thomas Graves with a Citizenship Award certificate on behalf of the city at the latest Board of Aldermen meeting.
Graves and three girls from Iberia found a New Bloomfield man's wallet in the City Park on Aug. 13. Instead of keeping the wallet, numerous cards and more than $100 in cash, the children took it to City Hall to get it to the rightful owner.
The owner was surprised the wallet was returned without any missing items, and told board members he didn't expect to see it again. Mooney made sure the owner was able to thank the children personally.
"It would have been really easy for them to take it," Lowe said. "This shows that these kids have an awfully good upbringing to think of returning it instead of taking it and spending the money, which a lot of kids and adults would do."
During the council meeting, Lowe presented a certificate and a $5 reward, but Graves was shy during the ceremony.
"You can tell he is a good kid and he just thought he was doing what he thought was best," Lowe said.
The three girls were unable to attend the ceremony, but the board sent certificates of recognition and monetary rewards to them.
"I'm so proud that these kids respect their parents and respect the properties of others," Lowe said. "They've been raised right and know the difference between right and wrong, and all four did what was right."