Indiana Police Dept, NBA Pacer Gifts 'God Bless You' Homeless Man With Size 17 Shoes
A homeless man known for toting his "God Bless You" sign around the Indianapolis area received a welcomed surprise this month when the local police force partnered to provide him with a new pair of sneakers.
Members of the Lawrence Police Department announced in a recent Facebook post that they were able to convince the Indiana Pacers NBA team to donate a pair of size 17 shoes to a local homeless man, who exceeds seven feet in height.
"We were informed of this wonderful act of compassion shown by one of our Reserve Officers, who is so humble that he doesn't wish to be recognized. The story needs to be told nevertheless. This is exemplary of the law enforcement profession, and speaks highly to the character of the officers at LPD," the police department announced earlier this month.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The post goes on to describe the homeless man as "very nice, doesn't cause problems, doesn't bother people and rarely does he ask anyone for anything."
After police officers decided to replace the homeless man's tattered shoes with new ones, they were able to receive a pair from the Indiana Pacers NBA team due to the large 17 size.
"The Pacers graciously donated a pair of size 17 shoes that were made for a former player. The officer just picked up the shoes yesterday. In addition to the shoes, the officer also obtained some other donated items, such as socks and other essential items, for delivery to this homeless gentleman," the post continues.
The department also shared photos of the homeless man trying on the new bright yellow sneakers with the caption: "The acts of kindness extended to this gentleman are exemplary. Well done to the Reserve & Late Shift officers who have been working with this gentleman."
Other good samaritan work by police officers in other states have also been shared on social media, including last year in Palatka, Florida, police officer Mike Meredith bought local homeless man Corey Daniels a new pair of size 10.5 sneakers for Christmas.
"I noticed his toes were sticking out of his shoe. My sergeant actually said his toes are hanging out of his shoe. [...] They've been worn so much, there was literally no writing, so I held it up to my shoe and I said, 'Well, I wear a 12 so he's probably a ten-and-a-half,'" Meredith told the local WTLV-TV at the time.
Meredith added that his act of kindness is meant to show that police are not primarily on the streets to shoot people, but rather to help those in need and protect citizens from harm.
"80 percent of our calls are not pulling guns out and trying to shoot people. We're trying to make relationships with our community," he said.
In addition to providing the man with shoes, the officer also provided him with second-hand clothing.
"When I walked off, I had a couple of extra polo shirts that I was going to get rid of in my trunk, so I gave him my Under Armour polo too because he's been wearing the same clothes every day I've seen him for the last couple of weeks," the police officer said last December.
