Michigan officers help 79-year-old install TV after pulling him over for speeding
Michigan police officer Kevin Coates made what at first seemed like a routine traffic stop last week. But video released by the Sterling Heights Police Department on Wednesday showed him and two other officers going above and beyond the call of duty to help a 79-year-old man in need.
On September 30, Coates pulled over a man identified only as "David" for speeding, according to the police department. After exiting his vehicle, David told him that "everything's going wrong," and was "visibly upset" and crying.
His wife was sick, he said, and their adult son had special needs. He had bought their family a new 50-inch television — but he couldn't get it to work.
"I bought a new television today because I wanted to make my wife happy," David said. "And I can't get it hooked up." When he was pulled over, he said, he had been driving between stores trying to find someone to help.
Officer Coates observed a traffic violation and through his investigation, it was determined this gentleman could use a helping hand. With all the obstacles in today’s world, a little compassion and understanding goes a long way. Great work officers Coates, Verougstraete & Jakushevich! Watch the news interview with Lieutenant Bastianelli on WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroitFOX 2 Detroit tonight.
Posted by Sterling Heights Police Department on Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Instead of a ticket, Officer Coates let David off with only a verbal warning, police said. He also told him he'd try to stop by later to help.
Approximately an hour later, Coates and two others, Officers Remi Verougstraete and Jeremy Jaushevich, were at David's door, police said. After they connected the TV, the officers showed David how to navigate the channels.
David told the officers he would have never been able to set up the TV on his own, and said how much he appreciated their help.
Sterling Heights Police Chief Dale Dwojakowski praised the three officers for the act of kindness.
"The officers involved … did what so many officers across the country do every single day without a 'thank you' or accolades," Dwojakowski told CBS News in an email. "I believe this story struck a chord on the simple principle of taking care of one another. Sometimes we all need this lesson."