Cops Respond to Shoplifting Call at Walmart, Buy 'Thief' Boots So He Can Get a Job
When a difficult situation turns into story of hope, kindness and compassion, the world tends to get a little brighter.
This is precisely what happened when two officers from Kansas responded to a shoplifting incident at a Walmart in Roeland Park.
According to a Facebook post shared by the Roeland Park Police Department, Officers Suffield and Snepp responded to the call.
The post, written by Chief John Morris, explains what happened at Walmart that day. “A displaced juvenile within the State of Kansas Justice system was trying to steal some work boots so he could get a job,” he wrote.
But rather than arrest the young man immediately, the kind officers heard him out. They took time to listen and really hear his reasons behind shoplifting.
Stealing is certainly wrong, no matter the reason. But in this instance, teen’s heart mattered more to these officers than his wrongful actions.
“When the officer(s) at the scene listened to his story, they were compelled to help,” Chief Morris writes. What took place next is heartwarming.
Not only did the officers not arrest the young man, opting to give him another chance, but they went above and beyond to gift him the very boots he was trying to steal.
According to Chief Morris, “The officer(s) bought the pair of boots for the juvenile and presented them to him after some words of encouragement to find a job, finish school, and stay out of trouble.”
“With tears in his eyes, the juvenile left with a supervisor of the group home he is staying with,” the post continues.
I don’t know about you, but this sweet story of grace brought tears to my eyes as well. What a wonderful pair of Roeland Park’s finest!
“Just another reason why I am so proud of my officers here in Roeland Park,” Chief Morris concludes. “I just smiled when I heard this story a short time ago as it almost made me cry too.”
And the story gets even better! A more recent post shared by the RPPD explains that a donor by the name of “Jerry E. Haddden” was so moved by the officers’ kindness, he sent the department a Keurig coffee maker as a thank you.
“Compassion sometimes is the way to protect and serve your community,” Mr. Haddden wrote to the department. “Have a cup of coffee on me.”
This just goes to show a good deed and a listening ear reach farther than one might think. We hope the young man finds a good job and goes on to do as much good as he was shown by these officers.
Their new coffee maker is well deserved and just a small token from a kind person who wanted to pay their good deed forward.
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