Tempe Honors Homeless Man Dave Talley Who Turned In Cash

TEMPE, Ariz. — A homeless Arizona man who returned a sack of cash to its rightful owner is being honored.

Dave Tally, 49, was recognized by the city of Tempe for his honesty after returning $3,300 to an Arizona State University student who lost the money last month.

KTAR radio reports Tally discovered the backpack and cash at a Tempe light rail station. He took the money to a homeless agency and together they found the owner, who had been planning to use it to purchase a car.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman says he hopes the recognition encourages others to do the same thing in similar circumstances.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – An Arizona man who turned in a backpack he found with $3,300 inside has been honored by the city of Tempe.

The City Council recognized Dave Talley for his honesty last month and set up an account through the city to help him out of homelessness.

KTAR radio reports Talley discovered the backpack and cash at a Tempe light rail station. He took the money to a homeless agency and together they found the owner – an Arizona State University student who planned to use the money to purchase a car.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman says he hopes the recognition encourages others to do the same thing in similar circumstances.

Comments

[GreenKate]

05:16 PM on 01/01/2011

So he gets an award and the good mayor of Tempe opines that others should ratchet up their morality to this man's level. No job offer for the guy. No offer of a place to stay. It takes the City Council a month to set up a fund that others can donate to.

The temperature's below freezing in Tempe this week. Hope Tally is not dead on the street.

[VinEastman]

11:37 PM on 12/13/2010

I for the life of me cannot make any sense of this story. Honest or not, how many homeless people would turn this money in? I'm an honest person also but if I were homeless with none of the amenities of a home, the only clothes I had were on my back, hadn't had a decent meal in God knows when, living on the streets freezing in the rain, snow or whatever or living in a shelter along with health issues I probably would not have turned that money in. I'm sure it would bother me but given my circumstances and knowing someone was careless enough to leave $3,300.00, lying around I could probably get past it. Maybe, maybe not I do have a conscience, but still...
If I decided to keep the money or at least some of it would that make me dishonest? Who knows what they would do under those circumstances. Maybe if that fellow had to do it all over again, he may have a change of heart considering how little he was rewarded for his good deed.

[GreenKate]

05:09 PM on 01/01/2011

your post is a new high point for cynicism.

[carlgt1]

07:30 PM on 12/12/2010

a real reward for him would be some physical & mental healthcare; but Arizonan heads would explode...

[Try the truth]

07:43 PM on 12/12/2010

Because he is homeless doesn't mean he has mental issues!

[aweissnet]

09:49 PM on 12/12/2010

If you are homeless, one might think you have a mental issue if you turn away from what could be a lifesaver. Or maybe it appears that this particular man is mentally unwell. Or they think all homeless people are mentally unwell. They may think he likes to be homeless, which would imply some mental imbalance, since he gave money away (gave back) that he stumbled upon.

[Michael Platania]

06:43 PM on 12/12/2010

fortunately not everyone is like you.

[aweissnet]

09:50 PM on 12/12/2010

well, that makes sense.

[Henry Owen Creque V]

11:40 PM on 12/12/2010

prosecution? he didnt rob a liquor store he found a backpack with money in it. id hardley call it theft.

[blackhawaiian]

04:18 PM on 12/12/2010

That's a lot of cash, to carry around. Are the authorities sure, that it was for a car? It sounds like a drug deal, to me. Most honest people don't carry that amount of cash.

[girlsparky]

05:48 PM on 12/12/2010

I hate to agree with you but that much cash????? Just sayin'

[VanTroi]

10:19 PM on 12/12/2010

honest people don't have $3,000 for a car?I put $4,000 in cash down on a car I guess it was really for a drug deal. Sheesh!

[blackhawaiian]

12:11 AM on 12/13/2010

So you carried $4000, in cash? Wouldn't you have been safer, with a cashiers check? Once again, most people don't carry $3000, in cash. If they were buying a car, they should have had a cashiers check. If a cashiers check is lost or stolen, it can be voided and replaced.

[blackhawaiian]

04:14 PM on 12/12/2010

Now that he's being congratulated, I hope that he lands a job and shelter. Congratulations only, aren't worth a damn.

[GreenKate]

05:20 PM on 01/01/2011

Well the city did set up a fund for the public to contribute to after a month of doing squat for the man. Maybe if enough citizens chip in he won't freeze to death.

[ebanks84]

02:54 PM on 12/12/2010

See what happens when you give instead of take from one another. Now he will receive many gifts in return for his true and honest nature of giving. Bless him always and I hope he is never homeless again.

[khountrygirl]

02:36 PM on 12/12/2010

This link contains more details of this story.

http://www.kpho.com/news/25902292/detail.html?source=pho

[disgustedwithall]

02:14 PM on 12/12/2010

Well need we say, this man could never be elected nor function in any politics, and as such we must be proud of his honesty.

[clearthinker16]

06:11 PM on 12/12/2010

true, and he must be a Democrat, as any Republican would have stuffed it in their pockets

[Nagoc]

10:34 PM on 12/12/2010

How true!

[disgustedwithall]

03:08 AM on 12/13/2010

Not as the greed and power grab and "For sale" on vote button is no longer unique property of any party, as this tax thing proves, just a lot of hot air, but will pass as agreed and ordered by big money months back.

[Dunkleberger Karl]

05:22 AM on 12/12/2010

Did the Young man give the homeles man, 10%? (finders fee?)
Of course Not ! Greed reported of value just as much as honesty
and correct behavior!

[disgustedwithall]

02:15 PM on 12/12/2010

Perhaps it is not you spot to harp on such things unless you know the details, but am sure the paper would put you on as to how to send him $330. So put up or?

[Marla Turner]

09:42 PM on 12/11/2010

What a fantastic story. While it would have been nice to see him receive a bigger reward for his efforts, the story is about doing the right thing (honesty), not about being rewarded for being honest. Honesty is its own reward.

[Dunkleberger Karl]

05:23 AM on 12/12/2010

finders fee is not a reward, Its the Right thing to do!

[disgustedwithall]

02:18 PM on 12/12/2010

Honesty is its own reward.

How true, but for some you might say "I has a price"? Just great USA hypocrisy posting by all to many and kind of supports just how low life and hypocritical this nation has become. The reward is not the end game, but for all to many in this nation it is a starting point. All to many now days cannot sepereate and act of decency without what they consider a obligatory reward.

[Howard53545]

11:51 AM on 12/11/2010

The honored this dude by giving him a bowl of soup and pat on the back. What a sucker! Give them back half dude.

[QKingston Constantine]

12:04 AM on 12/11/2010

wow....

[topypunk]

09:51 PM on 12/10/2010

What a great guy and story!