Things have been tough for police officers this past year overall, but for one Gainsville officer, it was even worse.
Keith Bartlett, along with his wife and kids, lost nearly everything during a recent house fire. The community stepped up and made sure all of the Bartlett kids had Christmas gifts.
Bartlett, though, was especially devastated by the loss of his two guitars. Music was a passion for the officer, and he felt lost without his beloved instruments.
Fellow Gainesville Police Officer Michael Green told his friend that he would find a way to get him a new guitar for Christmas.
Bartlett was working on Christmas day when he got an incredible Christmas surprise. When he returned from a call, he found his family, his fellow officers, and country superstar Randy Travis waiting for him at the station.
It turns out that Bartlett and Travis had met in the past when Bartlett worked a case involving a theft at the Travis ranch. When Travis heard what had happened, he knew just what to do.
Bartlett received a beautiful, brand new Epiphone Masterbilt guitar. He can now once again play every day, thanks to Travis.
Although the fire was a tragedy, the way the community, his fellow officers, and even a star like Travis banded together to support the family no doubt made this Christmas all the more special to Bartlett.
