by Kris Hauser
Our law-enforcement officers are often taken for granted — or worse, demonized. Yet, every day they wake up, get dressed, eat, say goodbye to their loved ones, and go out into the world to protect and serve their communities. They lay their life on the line for us.
They have a job to do, and they do it. However, many police officers not only do their job, but go above and beyond what is “expected” of them.
Amid all the turmoil in the world, it is both vital and refreshing to share positive stories. These men and women took that extra step to help a fellow citizen. One never knows what someone is going through. A simple act of kindness could be the difference between life and death, happiness and sadness, or safety and danger. Amid the negativity surrounding our men and women in blue, it is with great pride that we share the following inspirational stories.
Officer Zimmermann
The following story is an example of going above and beyond the call of duty. It is a story of selflessness, compassion, and helping another human being.
In 2019, Officer Kevin Zimmermann of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pulled over a car for registration issues. As he walked toward the vehicle to speak with the driver, he noticed two little girls standing in the car excitedly waving at him. He approached the driver, Andrella “Lashae” Jackson, and asked her why the girls were not in car seats as the law requires. Ms. Jackson told Officer Zimmermann that she could not afford them. She was using the little money she had to buy winter coats and boots for her little girls. Wisconsin winters can be brutal, and she decided to use her money to buy her girls warm clothes over car seats.
Officer Zimmermann did not give Ms. Jackson a ticket. Instead, he bought both girls car seats. Officer Zimmermann said he has kids of his own, and has seen too many horrific car accidents where a child was not in a car seat. He wanted the little girls to be safe. “It’s always in the back of my head what those scenes look like,” he said. “I really wanted to help her out.”
Officer Zimmermann said he had wanted to do a good deed like this for some time, but “all the stars aligned” that day. He received a call from dispatch; he was needed at a nearby Walmart for a different situation. Before he left, he asked Ms. Jackson for her telephone number. When he arrived at Walmart, the situation had been resolved, and he proceeded to the car-seat section of the store.
To purchase the right car seats, Officer Zimmermann called Ms. Jackson to find out how much the girls weighed. When he reached Ms. Jackson, he told her, “I want to do something for you and your kids, but I need your kids’ weights.”
Before Officer Zimmermann went to Ms. Jackson’s house to deliver the car seats, he stopped at the police station to get stickers and books for the girls. When he arrived at the house with the surprise gifts, Ms. Jackson was shocked. She was very appreciative of his kind gesture.
Officer Zimmermann showed Ms. Jackson how to buckle in the girls the proper way so they would be safe. He also helped her fill out the registration card in case of any recalls on the car seats. They all posed for a picture, then Officer Zimmermann headed back to the station. Ms. Jackson and her daughters were thankful for the help. She posted on Facebook that “My girls couldn’t stop thanking him, and it made them smile…. We appreciate it a lot.” The post had over 1,000 likes. Officer Zimmermann had no idea the story would go viral.
He said his parents taught him “to always do the right thing when no one is looking. That’s kind of always been my philosophy. I don’t care about the PR.”
Officer Zimmermann noted that officers in District 5, where he is stationed, buy food and toys for children all the time, but haven’t received the kind of praise he’s gotten.
This act of kindness by Officer Zimmermann received national attention. The Milwaukee Police Department commended him “for going the extra mile and going above and beyond your call of duty.” National media outlets picked up Jackson’s story, along with local TV stations in other states including Colorado, Montana, and New York.
Who doesn’t love a feel-good story? The need to share more such stories is great. It brings law-enforcement officials and communities together. If the media reported the positive stories more often, it would make a significant and positive impact on how police officers are perceived. Such stories demonstrate they are human just like the rest of us.
Commenters on Facebook loved the inspiring story. One woman commented, “With all the bad news it’s refreshing to hear something positive.”
Another commenter wrote, “Now this is protecting and serving. So glad your babies got some goodies and you got peace of mind knowing they are riding more safely.”
Officer Zimmermann’s act of kindness was inspiring, noted a commenter. “Thank you [Officer] Zimmermann for your kindness and generosity to this family. Your gift has produced many smiles and warmed many hearts.”
Police officers don’t just save lives; they perform acts of kindness that can make a huge impact, not only in the communities they serve, but everywhere. They do this every day. Most officers don’t get the praise they deserve, but that’s not why they do it. They perform these acts out of the goodness of their hearts, and are passionate about doing so.
An act of kindness — whether big or small — can positively influence many people. A selfless act or gesture could have a domino or pay-it-forward effect, reaching many people.
Tyrone
Many children dream of one day visiting Disney World. In 2016, this dream came true for 7-year-old Tyrone Lowe of New York City thanks to several officers who went above and beyond to show him that there is hope.
Tyrone had been through an exceedingly traumatic incident. His father murdered his mother, and then took his own life. Tyrone witnessed this tragedy. It is hard enough for an adult to comprehend this, much less a 7-year-old child.
The 49th Precinct of the New York Police Department (NYPD), located in the Bronx, is where Tyrone received this special surprise. Mickey and Minnie Mouse were there to greet him. Trumpets played and lights flashed as everyone watched to see this little boy’s reaction. Mickey and Minnie told Tyrone that he would be going to Disney World. He was beyond excited. Seeing Tyrone smile and laugh was pure delight for the officers.
Police officers in the 49th Precinct raised money over an eight-month period. They also asked officers elsewhere in the Bronx to donate $1 per officer. NYPD Community Affairs Officer David Lepore said, “To know that he still has a sparkle in his eye and that smile on his face, there’s nothing better to see.” The officers saw Tyrone as a bright and charismatic little boy. They knew he deserved better.
It was a major community effort. Police officers did everything from holding fundraisers and raffles to recycling cans and asking for donations. Officers and their communities coming together made it possible to give a little boy something positive in his life.
Additionally, $5,000 was placed in a college fund — “The Tyrone Lowe Scholarship Fund” — for Tyrone’s future.
After receiving his gifts, Tyrone could not contain his excitement. “They’re great. They’re awesome. Thank you. I love you. Thank you for all the stuff you gave to me,” Tyrone said with a great big smile. “I’m so proud of you guys. Can I just say that I love you all?”
Tyrone and his aunt, Annadelle Williams, who Tyrone was living with, went to Disney World for a week.
Thank you to all the police officers who put this together. They truly went above and beyond. Thank you for the time, effort, patience, and love you put into making this happen for a little boy who had witnessed something that no one — especially a child — should have to see.
Officer Kaufman
Dementia is a debilitating disease. It is frightening for both the person who has it and their loved ones. Dementia often is the beginning stage of Alzheimer’s, and both have devastating effects. Patience, kindness, and compassion are needed to help those with this disease. For the caretaker and family, it can be trying, sad, and ugly.
I volunteered in the memory ward of a nursing home. Although I was apprehensive, I found it a very fulfilling experience. I saw all the different stages of this horrible disease, and I would say compassion is what these people need most.
In 2021, David Kaufman, a police officer in Boulder, Colorado, showed kindness and compassion when dealing with a woman suffering from dementia.
The woman’s husband called the police to report that his wife, June, who suffers from dementia, was missing. The 78-year-old woman was wearing a tracker, so she was easily located.
Officer Kaufman approached the woman, who refused his assistance. He walked with her for “quite a long time.” When the woman got tired, she accepted a ride home from him. The encounter was caught on a body cam one of the officers was wearing.
In the body-cam video, one can hear an officer say, “June does not want to stop, so I think we’re just going to walk with her.” Officer Kaufman and seven others, including a mental-health specialist, spent almost an hour walking with and getting to know her.
Officer Kaufman’s father also suffers from dementia, so this call was very personal to him. “I have an 81-year-old father who suffers from dementia, and I’m aware of what could be happening at any moment and how tenuous it is,” he told Fox 31. “It was definitely personal to me to get that person back to her husband.”
Others in the community praised Officer Kaufman for his compassion in dealing with June and helping get her back home.
Thank you, Officer Kaufman, for your gentle and compassionate heart.
Police officers and law-enforcement officials do good deeds such as these every day. We just don’t hear about them all the time. If we did, the world would look differently at our men and women in blue — the good they do far outweighs the bad. Thank you to all the officers who go out of their way for their fellow human beings.