After arresting a man who had been striking his pregnant girlfriend, Officer Patrick Kinney proceeded to talk to the victim and discovered that she was struggling desperately to feed her three-year-old son and had run out of diapers. He knew that he had to help this poor mother, and he did so without expecting anything in return. When North Bend Police Chief Robert Kappelman received word of what Officer Kinney had done, he wrote Kinney this letter of commendation.
The letter reads as follows:
To: Officer Patrick Kinney
From: Chief Robert Kappelman
Re: Letter Of Commendation – Going the Distance (#N20144501)
On Friday, October 3, 2014, you responded to a domestic violence call where a male was arrested for striking his pregnant girlfriend. While another officer transported the male to the county jail you continued assisting the family. You learned that during the scuffle, a bowl of noodles was thrown, wasting the only food this pregnant woman’s two-year-old son was to have for the day. You further learned that the woman only had some grapes and one diaper left for the entire weekend. They had no money and no transportation to a food pantry. In your report, you indicate, ‘I made some arrangements to ensure that [name removed] had enough food and diapers to get her through a few days.’ Yesterday, I learned what you really did when you ‘made arrangements.’
Enlisting the help of your wife, you gathered some items from your church’s food pantry and from your own home pantry. While your wife gathered these things, you went to the grocery store and, using your own money, filled your cruiser with food and staples like bread, milk, eggs, fruit, and diapers. The mother cried as you delivered her groceries.
Officer Kinney, the only reason I knew about the kind acts of you and your wife was that another police department’s employee’s family member saw you at the grocery store. You were content not having anyone else knowing about your actions. I am not.
Your selfless acts are the epitome of human kindness and an example for the rest of us. Thank you for going the distance. I am so proud to work with you!
Sincerely,
Robert F. Kappelman,
Chief Of Police.
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