VIRGINA BEACH Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia Beach police officer is getting accolades from his department and the community for a random act of kindness.
A witness at a Wawa gas station on Ferrel Parkway noticed Officer Grant Wylie talking to a couple with a baby. They were in a van holding a sign that read, “We have lost everything and are in need of any help you can give.”
Brad Kortbawi described what happened next in a Facebook post:
I’ve noticed this van and couple in the same spot now for two straight days. I wasn’t sure why the cop was approaching them, but what I witnessed gave me faith in man kind again and also reminded me that there really are some good people on the police force. Officer Wylie directed the man to pull his van over to the Wawa gas pumps and proceeded to pull out his own wallet and use his own credit card to fill up this man’s van.
Kortbawi also posted that he and another patron gave the family money, following Officer Wylie’s act of kindness.
Tonya Borman, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Police Department, told 10 On Your Side the phone has been ringing off the hook since this all happened on Tuesday. She said Officer Wylie often helps those in need because “that’s the kind of guy he is.”
The police department also posted a note of gratitude on Facebook to Kortbawi for bringing the act into the public eye.
“Thank you Mr. Kortbawi for taking the time to acknowledge our officer for the hidden actions they take everyday that usually go unnoticed,” the post said.
