In the world today, it can sometimes feels like things aren’t getting better, but knowing that there are good people in our community can help give  us hope.

Recently, one local man found thousands of dollars on a sidewalk, but instead of keeping it for himself he made sure it was returned to its rightful owner.

Looking at Mark Lockwood, you might think he’s someone you don’t want to mess with. But really, he’s someone you’d want by your side.

“I’ve been called a lot of things. Some things you don’t want to mention on camera,” said Lockwood.

He grew up in Mattydale and currently works overnights at a warehouse in Baldwinsville. He lives in the city of Syracuse with his wife. They’ve been married 39 years. 

“Went on a blind date. I bet $10 I wouldn’t get her to go out with me. I lost the bet and I still have her,” said Lockwood.

Recently, Mark was recognized by the Syracuse Police Department with a Civil Commendation Award. That’s because he found a large sum of money and gave it to police to return it to its owner.

“If you had lost that kind of money, wouldn’t you want it back?” said Lockwood.

Back in May, Mark was pulling into his driveway when he saw a man who had appeared to have fallen on the sidewalk in front of his house.
On his way down, he dropped more than $18,000.  

“It’s not like I couldn’t have used it. I was getting short-term disability at the time and bills were racking up,” said Lockwood.

It turns out, police said the man was an intoxicated driver who was on the run after crashing into another car. Mark didn’t know any of that. All he knew was that someone was probably looking for their money. 

“I was very proud of him,” said Mark’s wife, Jo Lockwood. “Anybody could’ve just walked down the street and took it and kept going and no one would know a thing. I’m just very proud of him.”

Mark said he hasn’t heard from the man who lost his money, but given the chance, he would do the same thing again.