Police Officer Spends His Lunch Break With A Homeless Woman, The Moment Goes Viral
A week ago, on March 11th, a Facebook user named Chris Barnes posted an image of a police officer, Michael Rivers, sharing a pepperoni pizza with an older woman in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The user rejoiced at “Goldsboro’s Finest” sharing lunch with a homeless person.
More info: Instagram
Image credits: Chris Barnes
Image credits: Chris Barnes
Michael Rivers, an officer with nine years of experience, admitted that it was the shirt that caught his attention, as the shirt said, “Homeless. The fastest way of becoming a nobody.” At first, they only politely nodded to each other, but then the officer came around as the “Lord put it on my heart to get her lunch,” he said to Bored Panda. He turned back and asked her if she had eaten that day, and she said, “No.” Then Rivers went and got some pepperoni and cheese pizza.
For 45 minutes or so, they shared a great lunch and, more importantly, an even greater conversation. They also share a name, as Michael got to know Michelle’s name. Michelle opened up about her daughter of 12, who has liver disease and is in a foster home. She also has a son, 23, and a husband that stood across the street as they conversed. They prayed and then they went their separate ways. “My heart felt joy that I was able to help someone who felt like she was alone,” confided the policeman.
Image credits: ofc_rivers
Image credits: ofc_rivers
“Law enforcement does so much for our community, with a lot of it going unnoticed. We see you, Goldsboro P.D. Keep up the good work,” Chris Barnes expressed in his Facebook post.
Image credits: ofc_rivers
A little help goes a long way. The deed certainly did not go unnoticed: it exploded on social media and went viral across the internet. The post itself reached over 5k shares and 3k likes, and the story caught the attention of local media as well as major networks. The officer stayed grounded and humble while he was in the spotlight. “Homeless people are just people who are down on their luck,” Rivers told CNN. “It can happen to anybody.”
Image credits: ofc_rivers
Officer Michael Rivers is, without a doubt, an exemplary officer, and his department is pleased to have him. “I come to work, and my method is, ‘Who can I bless today? Who can I make smile?’” Rivers said. “I’m not the one that wants to take somebody’s father or mother away and put them in jail.” Truly a police officer many would appreciate having around in their town. A real paragon of virtue!
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Share on FacebookSorry...what? I was checking out his..uhm...uniform! Yeah..that's it! Now if you'll excuse me...I have to get back to..uhm..what was I doing...oh yeah....(*sigh).....
Load More Replies...He is one of the Officers in my town, and he is indeed a wonderful man. Proud to know him.
Please tell him how dear we think he is. A true hero.
Load More Replies...Officer Rivers truly understands the meaning of "Protect and Serve." We need lots more cops like him.
A truly beautiful act. I especially liked that Michael Rivers not only bought Michelle lunch but also had a long conversation with her. I imagine their talk had a big, positive impact on Michelle.
Helping those in need is not difficult. The officer is an inspiration and example of love they neighbor. A peanut butter sandwich made with love, stopping to talk, spent less than $5 taking two men into Duncan Donuts to pick their own beverages and food. Just do it once.
Forgot my wallet and only had a credit card on my iPhone with Apple Pay so i went to a donut shop to ask if it was good there and they said no, so the next guy in line bought me some food and said to pay it forward. I've been waiting for someone in need at a store and I'm going to make it rain. I'm not poor yet this guys spending $3.18 on me was so impactful and makes me want to do 10x that for someone else.
Load More Replies...Great man. On a side note, the title "Officer Shares Lunch With A Homeless Woman, Unexpectedly Goes Viral" is so ambiguous in a tragi-comical way. Take care, everyone.
This is a officer who is kind and caring for a woman who needs help,but I'm just going to say this once this is a person who cares about another person and it is so horrible that there are officers who are NOT him and we need MORE people like him
Michael be posing for pictures after the good deeds....😀👌🏾
I hope she gets her daughter back once she has her operation. This is just so sad. Her family has had horrible luck. I pray her daughter survives. The officer is truly the example of what police are: helping their community. Sad many aren’t like him. Not only is he loving he is LOVELY! Hello Officer hotness !
Sorry...what? I was checking out his..uhm...uniform! Yeah..that's it! Now if you'll excuse me...I have to get back to..uhm..what was I doing...oh yeah....(*sigh).....
Load More Replies...He is one of the Officers in my town, and he is indeed a wonderful man. Proud to know him.
Please tell him how dear we think he is. A true hero.
Load More Replies...Officer Rivers truly understands the meaning of "Protect and Serve." We need lots more cops like him.
A truly beautiful act. I especially liked that Michael Rivers not only bought Michelle lunch but also had a long conversation with her. I imagine their talk had a big, positive impact on Michelle.
Helping those in need is not difficult. The officer is an inspiration and example of love they neighbor. A peanut butter sandwich made with love, stopping to talk, spent less than $5 taking two men into Duncan Donuts to pick their own beverages and food. Just do it once.
Forgot my wallet and only had a credit card on my iPhone with Apple Pay so i went to a donut shop to ask if it was good there and they said no, so the next guy in line bought me some food and said to pay it forward. I've been waiting for someone in need at a store and I'm going to make it rain. I'm not poor yet this guys spending $3.18 on me was so impactful and makes me want to do 10x that for someone else.
Load More Replies...Great man. On a side note, the title "Officer Shares Lunch With A Homeless Woman, Unexpectedly Goes Viral" is so ambiguous in a tragi-comical way. Take care, everyone.
This is a officer who is kind and caring for a woman who needs help,but I'm just going to say this once this is a person who cares about another person and it is so horrible that there are officers who are NOT him and we need MORE people like him
Michael be posing for pictures after the good deeds....😀👌🏾
I hope she gets her daughter back once she has her operation. This is just so sad. Her family has had horrible luck. I pray her daughter survives. The officer is truly the example of what police are: helping their community. Sad many aren’t like him. Not only is he loving he is LOVELY! Hello Officer hotness !
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