Homeless men and women don’t always get a warm reception from police officers.
In Phoenix, Arizona, one cop decided to push back against that stereotype.
Officer Mark Valenzuela was dispatched to a corner gas store after several reports of a loitering and disheveled homeless man were sent to the authorities. Officer Valenzuela’s interaction with the homeless man was caught on tape and has since gone viral.
As the officer approached the man, he noticed something strange about his appearance. Despite the cold weather and rough streets in the neighborhood, the man wasn’t wearing any shoes or socks.
His feet were torn up from wandering around Phoenix and in risk of frostbite or serious infection. Officer Valenzuela’s immediately gave the man a new pair of shoes, but he didn’t stop there.
To give the man the shoes, Officer Valenzuela asked him to sit in the back of his car. The police officer then knelt in front of the man and placed the shoes and socks on his feet for him, just as Jesus washed the feet of others.
Onlookers were stunned by the humility and generosity of the officer.
He explained that he drew his inspiration from God, referring to his gift of warm socks and protective shoes as “a gift from God.” One thing is for sure: Officer Vealenzuela is one cop who understands the reason for the season.
