Lindenwold Family Shocks Officers With Unexpected Gift
By Jasmine Payoute
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Four off-duty Cherry Hill police officers chased down a family of three in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, but it wasn't your typical manhunt.
The officers were stopping the family to say thanks after the trio paid their entire bill after meeting at a nearby restaurant.
Here's how it all began:
The four officers were traveling to Prince George's County Police Department to honor the life of fallen Delaware County native Officer Jacai Colson.
Colson, was a 28 year-old undercover narcotics detective, who officials say was killed by friendly fire in a shootout several weeks ago.
After the service, the officers stopped at a Baltimore restaurant where they struck up a casual conversation with a family from Lindenwold, NJ that was visiting Baltimore Inner Harbor for the day.
Before the family left the restaurant, the officers said the family approached them one last time wishing them well before they said their goodbyes.
A Facebook post posted by Cherry Hill Police described what happened next, "After the family left the restaurant, the waitress gave the officers their receipt. On the back of the receipt was a note inscribed "God Bless You Fellas!"
The waitress informed the officers that the family from Lindenwold paid their entire bill and also requested to not give them the receipt until after they had left the restaurant.
Shocked by the family's actions the officers bolted out the restaurant to catch the family before it was too late. Tracking them down about a block away, the officers showed their appreciation by giving their son a Cherry Hill Police patch.
It was a small token of gratitude that made a big statement.