In a world that can often seem dark and discouraging, two police officers in Phoenix, Arizona brought a bit of a hope.
On a freezing winter night, two officers were making their regular patrol around the city when they noticed a man on the sidewalk, his bare feet exposed.
The man told the officers his feet were freezing, and what they did next touched the hearts of many.
What Two Police Officers Did When They Saw a Homeless Man
Without hesitation, the officers sprung into action and took the man shopping for not only new shoes, but some clothes to keep him warm. The task was complicated, however, when the man added he wears size 18 shoes and has a hard time finding pairs that fit.
In a video shared by the Phoenix Police department, the officers can be seen approaching the man, who tells them "my feet are more than cold dude."
Skeptical of the officers, he asks, "You taking me to jail?" to which one of the officers replies: "No. I'm going to take you to Ross and buy you some shoes."
They had to call a few stores to check if they had size 18 shoes in stock, but once they found some, the officers spent $80 of their own money on clothes and shoes -- even complimenting the newly outfitted stranger on his look, telling him he "looked fly."
The footage was captured by the officer's body-cam, and shared to the Phoenix Police Department Facebook page.
There, it captured the attention of many outside of Phoenix, who shared their reaction. The story of these compassionate police officers quickly went viral, inspiring many people around the world.
How Two Police Officers Proved the Importance of Compassion
It serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on the lives of others. Even in the midst of challenging circumstances, there are still people who care and are willing to help.
One viewer wrote: "I love these stories. Let's see more of this kind of compassion instead of officers that are less than professional. These officers are true heroes and servants of the people."
The man's entire demeanor changes when given the clothes, clearly touched by the generosity of two strangers. Considering he also expected quite a different conversation when approached by the police, the exchange shows just how much of a difference acts of compassion like this can make.
In a world where negative news stories often dominate the headlines, this story of two police officers who went above and beyond to help a stranger is a refreshing reminder of the good that still exists in the world. Let us all be inspired to follow their example and spread kindness and compassion wherever we go.
