By Police1 Staff
Lending a helping hand is part of the job for officers of the law — but their daily good deeds rarely make headlines. With our new series, we aim to bring some much-deserved attention to the little things our officers do for our communities every day. Check out this week’s round-up of inspiring stories from around the country.
1. San Francisco cop breakdance battles 4-year-old cancer patient
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — A video going viral this week shows San Francisco Police Officer Joseph Marte having a breakdance battle with 4-year-old cancer patient Colten Guerra, KTVU reported.
Marte told the news site he heard about Guerra some months ago and went to visit him at the Benioff Children’s Hospital to help him feel less like an outsider.
“His mom came across a video of me doing one of my breakdancing moves and showed Colton the video, and he challenged me,” Marte said in an interview with KTVU. “Of course, I couldn’t say no to him.”
2. Ark. cop helps stranded woman see dying sister
LOWELL, Ark. — Ruth Corbin was stranded on the side of a road last month after her rental car collided with another vehicle. She still had miles to go until she reached her dying sister’s home when Lowell Police Officer Grant Hall arrived, Democrat Gazette reported.
After working so hard to make the trip from Louisiana to Arkansas happen, 82-year-old Corbin was upset at the idea of being unable to carry on with her somber journey. Hall had driven Corbin back to the airport where she had picked up the rental car and stayed with her as she spoke with the rental company.
Hall went off-duty shortly after, and was having a hard time shaking the whole incident. He drove back to the airport, found Corbin and drove her three hours to her sister’s house.
“Something kept telling me to check on her,” Hall told the publication. “She was stranded there. I would want someone to do it for my family.”
Corbin told to the news site that the compassion the officer showed her was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for her and she will never forget it.
3. Dallas cops recognized for saving 4-year-old suffering from gunshot wound
DALLAS — The Dallas police department recognized several of its officers for saving a 4-year-old’s life with a tourniquet after a shooting, NBC DFW reported.
Officers Christina Mattox and Jesus Tovar saved the child Aug. 26 after she was shot by three gunmen.
“Between the experience both in the military and police, I still never once thought I’d be using [a tourniquet] on a child,” Mattox told the news site. “I was worrying it wouldn’t get small enough to fit around her leg.”
Mattox stayed with the child and held her hand as they rode to the hospital. Because of their efforts, she was able to make a full recovery.
4. LAPD helps dying mom give daughter quinceanera
LOS ANGELES — When gang officers were conducting community outreach, they met 14-year-old Jazmine, who told them a heartbreaking story, KTLA reported.
Jazmine informed officers her mother was dying of a terminal illness. When the officers met her mother, she expressed to them her last wish would be to give her daughter a quinceanera.
Police put their heads together, and with the help of a few local businesses and community organizations, coordinated and planned a festivity for the young girl.
“No matter your beliefs, we can all agree with the tenets of #kindness & #compassion,” tweeted Capt. Ruby Malachi, one of several police personnel who posted photos of the event online Saturday.
5. Family thanks Texas officer for actions after their dog bit him
ROUND ROCK, Texas — Officer Randall Frederick is being honored by his department and owners of a dog for his actions after the pet bit him, KVUE reported.
When Frederick was responding to a call about a neighborhood disturbance and went to speak with the Wightman household, the protective Australian Shepherd rushed the door and bit Frederick in the leg twice. Because Frederick had arrived to the home earlier than planned, the family hadn’t had time to lock the pet away.
Instead of returning aggression, Frederick calmed the dog down. His reaction to the stressful situation has parties on all sides congratulating him.
“It’s scary to think how differently that could have happened, but the level of training in his reaction was spot on,” Wightman told the publication.