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Officer bestows 'blessing' on man beside the road
A Gwinnett County police officer spent $150 from his own pocket to help a man in need along the side of the road. Hear his story in his own words.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Newly released body camera footage shows just how far a Gwinnett County officer went above and beyond the call of duty to help an unhoused man stay warm.
The video was recorded on Jan. 17, when temperatures were dropping into the teens at night. Gwinnett County police say they found the footage during a recent audit.
In the recording, Sgt. Todd Heller approaches a man who is carrying a sign that reads "Waiting on a blessing. Anything helps."
"That definitely piqued my curiosity," Heller said. "So, I rolled down the window and said, ‘Hey, what kind of blessing are you waiting on?’ and he said, ‘Anything.’"
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Gwinnett officer's kind act caught on camera
Newly released video shows a Gwinnett County officer going above and beyond the call of duty to help an unhoused man stay warm.
Heller introduced himself to the man and let him know that he wanted to help out.
"You want to go get a blanket and some food?" Heller asksin the video. "It's on me. My treat."
"I pulled over and got out of my car and walked up to him and said, ‘There’s a Walmart across the interstate. I can go buy you a blanket,’" Heller said.
The pair headed to a local store and Heller spent $150 of his own money on socks, a blanket, food, and other supplies to help the man stay warm on what was expected to be a dangerously cold night.
After the pair checked out at the register, Heller shared a parting message with the man.
"You've been waiting for a blessing, right?" he said. "Well … God blessed you today. You just didn't know it was going to be me."
In their social media post sharing the video, the Gwinnett County Police Department called Heller a "great representative" of their organization."
"My faith is the strongest thing in my life. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you," Heller said.
The sergeant says his job is to protect and serve. That night, he got the chance to serve a citizen in need.
"This is not just a job for us, it’s a calling," Heller said. "It’s our job to continue to be an example to others, to help the poor, to help those who can’t help themselves."
Heller doesn’t know if he’ll see that man again.