Policemen, firefighters and doctors are admired all over the world because they really go above and beyond the call of duty with amazing acts of kindness.
A viral photograph was shared on social media in 2016, which showed an abandoned toddler found by and comforted by a policeman.
James Hurst, part of the Savannah Police Department in Georgia, found the 1-year-old toddler walking on the streets and looked like he needed someone to comfort him. He was then checked into the hospital by the police department.
Posted by Savannah Police Department on Wednesday, June 6, 2018
At the hospital, the boy was very distressed, and that’s where Hurst who is also a dad took over. He stayed by his side and picked him up to make him feel comfortable. “It was upsetting, I mean I have two small children of my own,” Hurst said. “It was just natural to want to soothe this child,” he said. “I didn’t expect any of this, it’s been quite overwhelming actually.”
Hurst added, “The boy, obviously, being so small, became very upset. He was crying. He was sobbing. I asked the hospital staff if I can hold him to comfort him and soothe him a little bit to try to calm him down, to continue getting medical care and they said that was fine.”
“So I picked him up, minutes later, he, I was standing and he was asleep on my chest and with all my body armor and my gun belt, became very heavy holding this small child, so that’s when I decided to sit down on the bed and make it easier for him and me.” Hurst said.
A photo of the officer on the hospital bed, with the toddler sprawled out across his chest and wrapped in his arms was snapped by someone and shared on social media, which became viral. The picture has warmed many hearts, but Hurst said he did what “any human being with dignity that sees a child in need” would do.
GOOD JOB!!! Check this out from Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, "In a time of need, Officer Hurst goes…
Posted by WTOC Mike Cihla on Tuesday, May 10, 2016
The officer said he wanted to thank everyone who saw the post and like and commented on it. But he also said that this kind of behavior should be the norm.
He said, “This boy did not need a police officer, he needed someone to love on him and take care of him for just a short while to feel better. Having two boys myself, I knew this child just needed someone there and that’s all I was trying to accomplish. I didn’t expect all this from everyone on social media.”
“This was not just a job of a police officer but any human being with dignity that sees a child in need. Sad part is that our country has gotten so bad that something so little gets this much attention. Thank you everyone for the kind words of sentiment!!!”
“This job is so much more than just chasing the bad guys,” Hurst added, “it is about serving the citizens of the communities you work in and doing what they need you to do.”
The child is reportedly safe and has been handed to social services.
We are sharing this article again because it highlights how our hero went above and beyond his call of duty to make that child feel comfortable in an unpleasant situation.
