Tunnel to Towers Foundation Welcomes Injured Police Officer Home in Ward, Arkansas

WARD, ARKANSAS [March 9, 2026] — In a private ceremony, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed injured police officer Daniel Massie back into his newly renovated, mortgage-free home in Ward, Arkansas, restoring both accessibility and peace of mind for Massie and his family.

“It is still crazy to me not to have a mortgage. I never thought that would happen,” said Massie. “Not having to make a mortgage payment helps me sleep better at night.” 

Service has always been at the core of Massie’s life. As a teenager, he volunteered as a firefighter before enlisting in the U.S. Marines, where he served four years and reached the rank of Lance Corporal. After leaving the military, Massie began a career in law enforcement with the San Diego Police Department.

“You always get a good feeling when you’re helping others,” Massie said. “Whether it’s saving someone from a burning house, treating someone suffering from an overdose, or rescuing someone from a domestic violence situation…I liked helping and making the world better.”

On December 29, 2000, while working an overtime shift providing security for the Holiday Bowl, Massie attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that ran a red light. During the pursuit, he was involved in a serious crash that left him critically injured. Doctors were forced to amputate his right leg above the knee, and he sustained spinal cord injuries that continue to affect him today.

With his children living and working in Arkansas, Massie decided to relocate and purchased his home in Ward. To help restore his independence and ensure long-term safety, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation renovated Massie’s home to meet his accessibility needs and paid off the mortgage.

“My son-in-law actually filled out the application for me. I was shocked when I got the call. I couldn’t believe it,” said Massie. “I’m a bit of a homebody, so for my kids and my five grandkids, I’m looking forward to spending more time with them, and I know they appreciate not having to worry about me slipping, falling, or injuring myself in the shower.” 

At Officer Massie’s home, Tunnel to Towers completed the following renovations:

• Fully remodeled the master bathroom for accessibility
• Removed existing flooring and installed zero-threshold flooring throughout the home
• Installed a 36-inch wheelchair-accessible rear door with an ADA saddle
• Rebuilt the deck to be level with the rear door and added a ramp to the yard
• Regraded the front walkway for safer access to the front door
• Installed a whole-house generator for emergencies
• Added smart technology in the master bedroom and main living area, allowing lights, temperature, sound, and security to be controlled remotely

“Daniel Massie is a Marine, a firefighter, and a police officer, three times a hero. He put himself in harm’s way time and time again for people he may never meet. At Tunnel to Towers, we are humbled to thank him for that service by helping restore his independence and peace of mind here in Arkansas,” said Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, 25 years since FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller laid down his life to save others when America was attacked. 

For 25 years, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has honored Stephen’s legacy by supporting the military and first responders who continue to risk life and limb in the line of duty. 

To date, Tunnel to Towers has delivered over 1,700 mortgage-free homes to our nation’s heroes and committed over $1 billion across all of our programs.

This year, the Foundation has set a goal to deliver 343 mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, as well as Gold Star families and families of fallen first responders who leave behind young children. 

For more information and to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission to build smart homes for America’s heroes, visit T2T.org and consider donating just $11 per month.