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. VA police give homeless veteran new bike for returning wallet
(Photo courtesy of Sparky Edwards)
TOPEKA, Kan. — A homeless veteran known affectionately was presented with a new bike from Veterans Affairs police for his integrity, the Capital-Journal reported.
Ron Trusheim, known to most as “Bicycle Ron,” happened to find a wallet on the ground containing $400. Trusheim returned the wallet to the owner who had dropped it from her wheelchair.
“I just did what you’re supposed to do,” Trusheim told the publication.
When officers found out about Trusheim’s good deed, they wanted to recognize him. A group of officers and their colleagues combined funds to purchase a new bike for Trusheim as a reward.
“Your integrity stood out,” VA Police Chief Sparky Edwards said as he presented the bike to Trusheim.
The group also gave the vet a lock and bike gloves.
““This is incredible — what a day,” Trusheim said to the Capital-Journal. “I never expected this. It makes you feel good.”
2. Ga. officers grant 9-year-old boy’s wish to become a cop
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. — Nick Brazell has dreamt of becoming a police officer ever since he was born nine years ago, FOX 5 reported.
Georgia State Patrol Motor Carrier Compliance division and 11 other agencies stepped into to help make Brazell’s dream a reality. Officers even staged a pursuit and arrest of a “bad guy” for Nick to capture.
“I felt really proud that I stopped him and I knew I was going to sleep good that night,” Brazell told FOX 5.
Brazell spends most of his time helping take care of his 6-year-old brother, who is very ill. Officers wanted to help make a day just for him.
“It means a lot to help and take him away from his reality,” Sgt. Matt Wilson told the news site.
3. Police help Ga. man push broken-down truck
CANTON, Ga. — When Kijana Strong’s truck broke down, he was pleasantly surprised when two officers arrived and helped him push it to safety, FOX 5 reported.
The officers, identified as Brantley Worley and Kyle Smith, told Strong to cancel the tow truck he ordered because it would be too expensive.
“They told me ‘you’ve already been through enough, we got it,’” Strong said in the article.
Worley and Smith then helped Strong push his vehicle up a hill to get it to a safe location.
Strong posted about the Oct. 19 incident on his Facebook page and the video has since gone viral.
“The moral of the story is you don’t know who a person is until you talk to them, you meet them, they meet you,” Strong said in the article. “These were white cops...don’t judge anybody by the color of their skin because it don’t mean nothing.”
Worley and Smith were surprised by the viral fame but were grateful to show what officers do on a daily basis.
“I’m glad people are seeing that we are out here to just help people — no matter what their race, creed or color is. It doesn’t matter,” Worley told FOX.
The post has over 73,000 likes and 200,000 shares on Facebook.
4. Wis. officer saves dog from burning home
TILDEN, Wis. — Officer Craig Mantzke is being praised for his efforts in saving a family’s dog from their burning home, WEAU reported.
With no regard for his own personal safety, dash cam video shows the officer leaping from his patrol vehicle and running into the flames to search for anyone stuck inside the house.
“Between the dog and several other indicators in the house that other people were still in there, your heart kind of sinks a little bit; you’re their last line of defense potentially,” Mantzke told the news site.
While the family was not home at the time, their 8-year-old shih tzu Maggie was. The officer found Maggie and carried her to safety.
The Chippewa Falls Police Department said Mantzke’s actions were just what any other person would do in that situation, and the video just allows people to see a first-hand perspective.
“I think if we were in the same position we’d be absolutely elated, if somebody were able to save our pet or do what they could to save our pets, those are big parts of families,” Mantzke said to WEAU.
5. Mass. motorist receives flowers from cop after losing mother
(Facebook Image)
SOMERVILLE, Mass. — When Robin Sutherland received the news her 90-year-old mother would need hospice care, she left her home in distress and ended up driving too fast, WCVB reported.
Sutherland was pulled over by Officer Ashley Catatao. While Catatao ran Sutherland’s information, Sutherland became emotional.
“I came back to her car, and she was crying,” Catatao told WCVB. “Even though her mom is 90 years old, you are never ready to say goodbye to a parent.”
Sutherland hadn’t had a speeding ticket since the 1980s so Catatao let her go with a warning.
Later that day, Sutherland was shocked to find a bouquet of flowers from the officer expressing her condolences over Sutherland’s mother.
“Many people think once the traffic stop is over, it is forgotten, and it is not like that. We carry stuff with us,” Catatao told the news site. “That hit me personally because I have a mother, and I am a mother.”
Sutherland was appreciative and surprised by the gesture.
“The act of kindness from a stranger was so unexpected and thoughtful,” Sutherland told WCVB. “With too many stories about officer abuse of power and force, I thought this act of kindness should be called out as a phenomenal act of kindness and one that can remind people that police not only keep us safe, but can be thoughtful beyond expectations.”