Jersey town offers hero's welcome

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. - A 92-year-old Navy veteran was treated to a hero's welcome in a New Jersey town where he ended up by mistake.

The veteran, Oscar Ehrhart, left his home in Waynesboro, Pa., Friday morning heading for a local American Legion meeting, said Robbinsville Police Sgt. Thomas Egan.

But Ehrhart must have taken a wrong turn, because he ended up 200 miles away.

He asked a resident for directions home Friday night, then planned to sleep in his car. The resident called police for help, and Egan took him to a hotel to buy him a room for the night.

The only problem: Egan had left his wallet at the police station. Not wanting Ehrhart to be shut out for the night, Egan had his squad bring his wallet to the hotel so he could pay.

"I wanted Oscar to get the Robbinsville treatment," Egan said.

Instead, the manager of the Hampton Inn gave him a free night's stay in the hotel's last available room.

"They are an amazing group of men and women who do their jobs extremely well, and in many cases go above and beyond the call of duty," Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried said of his officers. "With so many negative media reports surrounding police forces around the country, the Robbinsville PD continues to be a beacon for what is right."

Egan talked to Ehrhart by phone Sunday after he had returned home.

"This story is really about Robbinsville," Egan said. "I'm really proud of this town and proud of the place I work."