At the tender age of 9, Noah found himself enjoying breakfast with his mother at Denny’s when he noticed a lone police officer seated nearby.
Instantly, a surge of appreciation washed over Noah, compelling him to express his gratitude in some way, though he was unsure how to go about it. Turning to his mother, he shared his observation and together they hatched a plan.
Having harbored a childhood dream of becoming a police officer, Noah sought his mother’s approval to approach Officer Eddie Benitez and say hello. With her consent, Noah summoned the courage to walk up to the officer.
As he drew near Officer Benitez, nervousness overcame Noah, rendering him momentarily speechless. After a brief pause, Noah devised a fresh strategy to brighten the officer’s day.
Utilizing some of the money he had saved from his birthday, Noah decided to purchase Officer Eddie’s breakfast. Amanda, Noah’s mother, discreetly signaled the waitress and outlined their plan. After settling the bill, Noah left a note on the receipt and picked it up, heading toward Officer Benitez.
Upon seeing Noah approach with the receipt, Officer Benitez was intrigued about the unfolding situation. However, as soon as he read the heartfelt note, he couldn’t contain his joy, rising from his seat to pose for a photo with his newfound young admirer.
Noah’s note on the receipt read, “I want to be you when I grow up. Thank you for your service, Noah.” The impact of Noah’s gesture was so profound that Officer Eddie Benitez has carried that note with him every day since.
Expressing his gratitude for Noah’s kind act, Eddie remarked, “It meant everything. It meant that I’m supposed to wake up every morning and put on his uniform and go out there and do what I do. You know? It means that I need to keep trying to be a good example to all these young guys.”
This heartwarming story resonated with many, including the Lakeland Police Department, who shared a photo of Noah and Eddie on their Facebook page. The overwhelmingly positive response has further fueled Noah’s aspiration to become a police officer.
Let’s take a moment to commend Noah’s endearing and considerate way of honoring our police force! If you resonate with this sentiment, feel free to show your support by clicking that “Like” button.
