When you were little, your parents might’ve told you to turn to a police officer if you needed help and were alone. One police officer in Utah proved himself to be a public servant when he stepped in to help a struggling father.
Back in 2016, a police officer named Kevin Norris was seated outside a courtroom in Orem, Utah.
He was waiting to testify in a court case. Another man was also waiting to appear in court. He was accompanied by his rambunctious 2-year-old daughter Abi.
Without having any childcare, the man was forced to bring his daughter along with him to his court appearance. However, when he tried to bring her inside, he was told that children couldn’t come in. That was when Officer Norris, who has two children of his own, stepped in and offered to keep an eye on the little girl.
Video from surveillance cameras showed the two of them walking around the lobby.
Norris helped her get a drink of water. The two of them also said hello to the grownups working around the building. They even collected some treats.
Then they snuggled up together in a chair while Norris pulled up some cartoons on his cell phone. There, Abi watched happily until she fell asleep, nestled against him. She was clearly worn out by her adventures around the building.
The Orem Police Department posted the surveillance video to its Facebook page.
They praised Norris for his kindness and attention.
“The father had a court case scheduled and was unable to leave the little girl at home,” the department posted. “When it was time for his case to be heard he tried to take his daughter into court with him. However, kids are not allowed in the court room for various reasons and the girls father didn’t know what to do…….You can tell that Officer Norris is a father first and police officer second! [sic]”
The video racked up more than three million views and 22,000 shares.
More than 2,000 people commented to thank Norris for his kindness to the little girl.
“This is just one of the reasons why I love working for ORPD. Great men and women with huge hearts,” one of Norris’s colleagues, Greer Hammond, wrote. “Proud to serve along side you Kevin Norris. [sic]”
Norris, who’d been a police officer for nine years, was a little embarrassed by the attention.
But he was happy to have helped Abi and her father in their moment of need.
“We’re not just officers who are out there to arrest people,” he said. “We’re out there to make our community a better place. I’m thankful it shined a positive light on law enforcement. I just wish it wasn’t shining on me.”
He also added that he’d been in similar situations himself when he could’ve used a hand with his children.
And every other parent can relate. It certainly takes a village to raise a child — and when Norris saw a dad in a bind, he volunteered to step up and help.
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