Missouri police officers are looking for a Black teen, and it’s not to accuse him of a crime.
It’s to thank the young man, who an officer spotted using a jacket to shield a woman from rain August 26 in Independence, which is about 240 miles west of St. Louis.
“Kinda long but I’m touched by this kid,” Officer Joe Holt posted in a 10-paragraph Facebook message along with a picture of the woman and teen.
“So today I experienced something that actually set me back a little. It didn’t set me back because i was shocked but because I got to witness it first hand,” Holt said. “With all the hate fueled by color, belief, sexual preference or race it actually pisses me off.
“Why, because most of it is based off what they read in the papers. Most isn’t based-off personal experiences.”
Holt then, goes on to explain that the Black teen exited the back seat of a van he was in while it was pouring rain, “took his coat off and protected this elderly white female from the environment the best he could all the way to her car.”
“He then walked back to his car all while not saying a word to his Auntie or Mom when he exited or re-entered,” Holt said. “I followed him to the van and approached the driver who was his mom.
“I told this young man I was impressed and he should be proud because I was.”
His mom, who initially thought the teen had done something wrong, since Holt was in uniform, instead teared up when the cop took time to compliment her child.
“I know the chances of this reaching his mom is slim, but, kid, you impressed me,” Holt said.
He added, “Kiddo, if you see me on the street again this guy owes ya a dinner. You ever need anything I will come running to ya.”