"Mrs. Willis is a very integral part of West Los Angeles and the LAPD," Cpt. Rich Gabaldon said of Marlene Willis
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NEED TO KNOW
- Bruce Willis’ 90-year-old mother, Marlene Willis, spends her Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays volunteering for the LAPD
- Marlene, known as Mrs. Willis around the station, has been volunteering with the West Los Angeles station for 22 years
- She has previously been recognized as the volunteer of the year
Bruce Willis' 90-year-old mother, Marlene Willis, spends her weekday afternoons with a special hobby.
Marlene is receiving recognition after volunteering with the Los Angeles Police Department for 22 years. Marlene, who is known as "Mrs. Willis" to those working at the West Los Angeles station, spends her Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays checking grammar and adding notes to police reports, per NBC Los Angeles.
"I want to help so much, so much," Marlene told the outlet. "You have no idea. You cannot imagine how much I want to help."
While she is close with her own big family, Marlene also finds close friendships within the LAPD.
"This is my family," Marlene told the outlet of the LAPD. "I mean that 100%."
"Mrs. Willis is a very integral part of West Los Angeles and the LAPD," Cpt. Rich Gabaldon, the West LA station's commanding officer, said. "She is an icon here."
Police officers working at the station told NBC Los Angeles that Marlene's "presence alone" could bring a smile to their faces on hard days.
"I think she means the very best of people that are individuals who believe in the work that our men and women do," former LAPD Chief Michel Moore told NBC Los Angeles.
Moore previously presented the LAPD volunteer of the year award to Marlene, along with another unique honor.
Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
"While I can't make her a cop, I can at least give her the greatest symbol of what it means to be a cop," Moore told NBC Los Angeles. "And that is a badge of the law center police department.
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"Marlene, there are people in our lives that when you cross their path; they leave a lasting impression," Moore, now retired and living in Tennessee, told the news station in a message to Marlene. "You are one that has risen to the top of one of the best impressions. To you and the work you do, we will be forever grateful."
Marlene does not discuss her famous son or her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren around the station, but her screensaver is a photo of herself giving Bruce, 71, a hug.
"She was never one to wear her identity as his mother on her sleeve or even involve him in even passing references of her life, which impressed me," Moore told NBC Los Angeles.
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