Merry Christmas from the SPD
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| An Arizona tourist photographed Officer Lawrence DePrimo, 25, kneeling down in front of the man outside a Sketchers shoe store. Officer DePrimo talked with the man, found out he wore a size 12, and heading inside. The store manager gave the officer his employee discount, reports the New York Times. |
Many may have already seen the above photo of a New York City police officer who observed a barefoot, homeless man sitting in front of a New York shoe store. He engaged the man in conversation, determined that the man wore a size 12 shoe and quietly went into the store and purchased a pair of shoes for him. As it happened a tourist from Arizona witnessed and realized what was happening, took the photo and sent it to NYPD with a commendatory letter. NYPD then placed the photo on its Facebook page.
We are posting it here on our webpage as means of sending a holiday greeting. Although there may not be a photographer present to record it, officers across the country engage in selfless acts of compassion and kindness such as these every day. While cops are human beings and therefore subject to the foibles of the species, the great majority of them are really in the field to do their best to live up to the mission statement emblazoned on the side of the cruisers, “To Protect and Serve”. So, with that in mind, we send our Christmas wish and greeting to all those whose we strive to protect and serve and who offer the support and assistance that enables us to do so. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.