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.
Fla. cops donate their free Arby’s meal to homeless man
WSVN-TV - 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Two Coral Spring police officers donated their free Arby’s meal to a homeless man, WSVN reported.
The free meal was provided by the CEO of Arby’s as part of a one-day promotion after a controversial incident occurred last week in which an employee refused service to an officer.
Officers Jonathan Greenleaf and Tyler Reik chose Robert, a homeless man they know well, because of his kind repertoire with them.
“Arby’s offered free meals for any police officer, so we took that upon ourselves, instead of letting us eat, to help the less fortunate and to provide the meal that was given to us to Robert,” Reik told the publication.
The officers are being praised by their chief for their actions.
Calif. officer saves bird, takes selfie
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — California Highway Patrol Officer Richard Adams saved a bird he saw in a roadway and captured the moment with a selfie, SFGate reported.
The officer noticed a bird in the middle of the road not moving, according the department’s Facebook post. Feeling a responsibility to the little bird, he stopped traffic and recovered it.
Before taking it to a bird rescue center, he snapped a selfie that has been a hit with Facebook fans.
“Some will say this was just a common jay, but his blueness indicated a general support of law enforcement,” the post said.
Ind. police fulfill 100-year-old man’s dream of riding in cruiser
ELKHART, Ind. — After 100 years, Charlie Murray can finally check riding in a cruiser off his bucket list, Elkhart Truth reported.
The dream was fulfilled by Murray’s caretaker, Kim McConnell. Several months back, Kim asked her husband, Elkhart Police Department Officer Tim McConnell, if Murray’s wish could be granted. When Tim brought it up with his supervisor, the department decided they would give Murray more than a joyride.
Murray was appointed the grand marshal position in the Elkhart Labor Day parade complete with a ride around in a cruiser.
Chicago cop buys homeless man lunch
CHICAGO — Chicago Police Department Sergeant B. Hagarty is being praised on Facebook for photos taken of him during an altruistic lunch, WGN TV reported.
According to the Facebook post written by the department, Hagarty saw a man digging through the trash outside of Chipotle. He asked the man if he was hungry and took him inside to buy him lunch.
The viral photo of Hagarty’s incredible act already has over 30,000 likes on Facebook.
Hagarty is a 35-year veteran of the force and plans to retire by the end of this year.
Tenn. police take daughter of fallen cop to father-daughter dance
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The family of fallen Memphis Police Officer Tim Warren feels his absence during times where he’d be a prominent figure, like his daughter’s father-daughter school dance, KTVU reported.
When Warren’s daughter received an invitation to the dance, she was upset. Warren’s widow reached out to find willing volunteers that would donate time and take her daughter to the dance.
Several officers jumped at the chance, and Warren’s daughter received six father figures for her school dance. She was given the royal treatment - complete with a salon trip and long stem roses from each accompanying officer.
“We know we cannot replace Tim, but we can be there for his family when we are needed. It was truly an honor,” Officer Taylor Amen said to the publication.