How Bruce Willis’ mom has become an icon for LAPD’s West LA station

A volunteer extraordinaire, affectionally called Mrs. Willis, has been dedicating her time and effort at the Los Angeles Police Department’s West LA station for 22 years. What people often do not realize is that she’s the mother of actor Bruce Willis.

Marlene Willis, 90 years young, brings warmth to what could be a tough workplace, solidifying herself as a hidden asset to the department.

“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.

Mrs. Willis volunteers in Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays and serve her community by reviewing police reports, making notes and checking grammar.

“I want to help so much, so much. You have no idea. You cannot imagine how much I want to help,” Mrs. Willis said.

Those from the West LA station said her presence alone can put a smile on officers’ faces. Some even go as far as to say they don’t know what they would do without her.

In some cases, when officers return to the station after dealing with an awful incident, Mrs. Willis would go up to them and give them a hug, a gesture that is appreciated by every single member of the station.

“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.”

Mrs. Willis has been recognized as the LAPD volunteer of the year, an award presented by then-Chief Moore, who later took one step further.

“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. And that is a badge of the law center police department,” Moore said.

Speaking from his home in Tennessee following his retirement, ex-Chief Moore said Mrs. Willis is the volunteer that he will never forget.

“Marlene, there are people in our lives that when you cross their path; they leave a lasting impression,” Moore said in his message to Mrs. Willis. “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.”

People meeting or running into Mrs. Willis at the LAPD station would not know she’s Bruce Willis’ mom. She never mentions her son or involves him with anything that she does at the station. The only giveaway is her computer screen saver, which shows a picture of her superstar son hugging her mom.

“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 said.

Mrs. Willis has the famous son, other children and grandchildren. But blood relatives are not the only ones she deeply cares for.

“This is my family,” she said about the LAPD. “I mean that 100%.”