10 ways cops went above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis

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By Cole Zercoe

America is currently facing one of its greatest challenges in the COVID-19 pandemic. From Atlanta to Tucson, police officers are going above and beyond the call of duty to help members of their communities get through these difficult times. Here’s a roundup of some of the most inspiring stories that have come out in the months since the country locked down.  

1. Cops deliver pizza to hundreds in their community

New Jersey police partnered with restaurants to deliver 275 pizzas to members of their community as a way to keep sprits up during these trying times.

2. LEOs read books to children online

Police in Chico, California, are among many agencies holding story time sessions for kids stuck at home as a way to engage and connect with them.

3. Officers pick up groceries for the elderly

The elderly are our most vulnerable population during the COVID-19 crisis. Officers in New Jersey are helping protect them from exposure by delivering groceries and checking on them in a time where social distancing is leaving many elderly people alone for longer periods than they may be used to.

4. Police use patrol cars to form heart in honor of healthcare workers

Police in Florida gathered outside a hospital to show appreciation for the healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic in a pretty creative way.

5. LEOs assist homeless people in getting housing during pandemic

Park safety officers in Tucson are making sure one of our most vulnerable populations isn’t forgotten.

6. Officers decontaminate ambulances to protect medical workers from virus

In New Jersey, off-duty LEOs decontaminated ambulances, equipment and other potential sources of infection for medical workers as a way to show their support.

“Medical personnel were there for us on 9/11 and we want to be there for them today,” Officer Eric Brozek told NJ.com.

7. Cops give quarantined boy birthday surprise

A lot of kids are having to forgo birthday celebrations with friends this year, like 6-year-old Caleb in Wisconsin. Officers helped the boy make it a birthday to remember.

8. SRO teaches quarantined kids virtually

In addition to reading to children, many officers are offering kids other learning lessons to help parents with their homeschooling responsibilities. School Resource Officer James Sellers is one of them. He posts videos daily on things ranging from magic tricks to music lessons.

“It’s important to keep them in routines and show that the world is still a good place,” Sellers told the Shelby County Reporter. “It’s not all doomsday, which they are hearing a lot of. To know people outside still care for them and are looking out for them is something we need to do.”

9. Officers help feed big rig drivers

Big rig drivers faced a challenge at truck stops when restaurants went drive-thru only. Police in Alabama had an outside-the-box solution to help keep truckers fed.

10. LEO uses hazard pay to buy students tablets for school

One of the issues with homeschooling children during this crisis is the lack of resources some students have at home to complete their work. Officer Keith Backmon in Atlanta did his part to try to fix the disparity by using his hazard pay to provide tablets to students who didn’t have the technological capability to complete their schoolwork.

“I don’t take my job lightly,” Backmon told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “People who know me as an officer and personally know that I love people and put them first.”

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