City Council honors crossing guard after 43 years on job

GERMANTOWN (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia woman is leaving her post as a school crossing guard after 43 years on the job.

Eighty-five-year-old Willie Fullwood received a standing ovation Thursday as she arrived at her retirement party at the Philadelphia Police 14th District in Germantown.

She began her career in 1972, and spent most of it helping students cross Crittenden and Johnson streets.

"It's good to be here, and I thank the community. I thank the police district for allowing me to work this long because one time I thought maybe they would have taken me off the corner because of my age, but they didn't and I'm happy about it," said Fullwood.

Fullwood was recognized Thursday with a City Council Citation.

Commissioner Charles Ramsey sent his congratulations, saying it's impossible to count the number of children whose lives Fullwood made safer.