When some officers vow to protect and serve, they really mean it. And that’s exactly why Detroit Police Officer Jeremy Thomas became a police officer.
Thomas told WXYZ Detroit that his decision to become a police officer three years ago came from “the need to help people.”
“I was a volunteer firefighter before this, and it’s just been something I like to do, help people,” said Thomas, who is assigned to the DPD’s Downtown Services.
Thomas’ need to serve those who need help recently made him go viral.
One of his acts of kindness, that went above and beyond the duties of a patrolman, is now being shared all over the internet.
Thomas said he saw a woman and her daughter handing out some toiletries to a homeless man in Comercia Park just after the Detroit Tigers’ game was canceled.
He was given granola bars, a razor, shaving cream, and a bottle of water.
Thomas then witnessed the man try to use rainwater from a downspout to shave.
“He had shaving cream on his hands, his coat, his face, his eyes,” Thomas recalled.
When Thomas approached the man, the man quickly told Thomas he would leave the area not expecting to get some help from the officer.
“I’ve encountered this guy multiple times this season. Never gave us any bit of an issue. Always respectful — yes sir, no sir,” Thomas told FOX 2 Detroit.
Thomas then proceeds to help the man get a safe, clean shave.
“I just went over there, threw a pair of gloves on, took my water bottle out, dumped it in his cup and tried to help him shave,” he said.
Thomas’ act of kindness did not go unnoticed.
Jill Metiva Schafter was walking by and snapped a few pictures of Thomas helping the man shave.
She then posted it on Facebook.
“What a great Detroit cop!! This is right outside Comerica park. The game was a rainout but this officer went way above and beyond to help this man shave!!!” she wrote in her caption.
The man, who was later identified as Stanley Nelson, was extremely grateful for Thomas’ kindness.
“He had a smile on, a big smile. He said thank you, God bless and he walked away,” Thomas said. “There are quite a few (homeless people), some of them seek shelters, some of them don’t want shelters. So I don’t know if he wanted it or not, but I helped him.”
It seems as though he did want and appreciate the help.
“That was beautiful what he did and God is gonna bless him for doing that for me because he didn’t have to do that,” Nelson told WXYZ Detroit said. “What he did for me, that was alright. I really appreciate that because, you know, I’m going through my thing and I feel bad about myself, you know, but I’m gonna be alright.”
Thomas says anyone could be down on their luck and that if you’re not you should help someone that is.
“Just know that this could be you at any day,” said Thomas. “Nobody is better than the other person. They may be in a better position in life, but use that opportunity to take care of somebody else when you can.”
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