Veteran known as ‘Cowboy Dave' brings hope to tornado survivors

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — When disaster strikes, most people run from the chaos. Cowboy Dave runs toward it.
Dave Graham, better known as 'Cowboy Dave,' is a military veteran on a mission — traveling across the country in a pickup truck and camper, bringing comfort to communities hit by crisis. His latest stop: London, Kentucky, where an EF-4 tornado tore through homes, lives, and livelihoods just weeks ago.
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'I move in with the community — as close to the disaster as I can,' Dave said. 'I live with them. I feel it. And they sense that. They know it's genuine.'
With his trademark cowboy hat and ever-open camper door, Dave stands out. But it's his presence, not his appearance, that leaves the biggest impact.
Through his nonprofit, Hearts Hurt, Cowboy Dave has responded to more than 30 major disasters, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Maui fires, and flooding in Eastern Kentucky. What sets him apart? He does it all on his own dime, using his military pension to fund the mission.
'People knock on my camper and say, 'Cowboy, you want to talk?' I'm like, 'Absolutely,'' he said. 'It's a military thing — you do what it takes, for as long as it takes.'
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Local residents say his arrival brought an unexpected sense of calm.
'Oh, he's a character,' said Matthew Cawood, who survived the recent tornado. 'It can be pouring rain and he's out there, waving at cars and talking to everyone, saying, 'Bring your Bible or bring your beer, I'll take you either way.' He just gets people.'
Cowboy Dave's work isn't about recognition. It's about restoration — of hope, of humanity, and of hearts that hurt.
'When you create life in the middle of death and disaster, people are drawn to it,' he said. 'It's been a blessing for me. But it's not about me — it's about them.'
Latest central Kentucky weather forecast
As long as there's a need, Cowboy Dave said he'll keep showing up.
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