On Saturday, August 21st, firefighters in West Bend Wisconson believed they had found a true
diamond in the rough.
During the annual Fill-the-Boot collection for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, what looked like a diamond ring seemed to have found its way into one of the boots. Typically donators throw their cash donations into firefighter boots; diamond jewelry was an unexpected and unnerving surprise.
When the boots were emptied and for donations counted, what appeared to be a diamond ring was found among the bills and coins. It wasn’t long before firefighters started asking questions. Assuming the owner dropped their diamond ring by accident and would want it back, the firefighters immediately contacted local police.
Within hours, the story was all over the local news with firefighters and policemen scouring the town for the rings proper owner. But the hoopla simmered down after police decided to have the ring evaluated by a professional jeweler.
On Sunday, a local jeweler arrived at the West Bend Police Department to inspect the ring. According to the police, the jeweler took one look at the ring and determined it was a fake, nothing more than costume jewelry, and completely worthless.
Later that day, the owner of the ring called the police department to confirm it was hers. She claimed that the ring must have been hidden among her loose change and donated by mistake. The ring fell into the boot unintentionally.
According to an announcement by the police, the fake diamond ring has been placed into police evidence and will be destroyed.
The Fill-the-Boot charity event has been held annually since 1952 and is supported by the International Association of Firefighters and fire departments across North America. It will continue next weekend until 12:00pm on Saturday.
Who knows what the firefighters might find this week!
