To protect and serve: police officer to donate a kidney to young boy

A Facebook post from a desperate Wisconsin mom caught the attention of 30-year-old Lindsey Bittorf. The mother's post was a plea for help - her 8-year-old son Jackson needed a kidney transplant. A donor needed to be found, and quickly. 

Bittorf, herself a mom and an active member of the local police force, was touched by the plea. She was one of about 50 people who voluntarily got themselves tested to see if they were a match. To the surprise of doctors and all involved, Bittorf matched Jackson's blood type and three other antigens. Bittorf and Jackson are not related, and in fact never met until the match was confirmed. 

Their meeting was punctuated by hugs and tears. Bittorf is humble about her decision. She gave Jackson a plaque which says, "Jackson, I took an oath to serve and protect my community. My kidney will now be able to serve and protect you! I am your kidney donor."

To protect and serve, and drive 100 miles

In the middle of the night, Matt Ross of Indiana got a call that his 15-year-old sister had been killed in a car accident. His grieving mother was back home in Detroit. Distraught, Matt convinced a friend to drive him to be with his mom.

Problem one. The friend had a suspended license. Problem two. The car was pulled over by Ohio State Highway Patrol for speeding. Problem three. The friend was arrested and the vehicle towed. Problem four. Matt himself had an outstanding warrant in distant Wayne County.

The Wayne County police didn't act on the warrant because of the distance involved, which was a relief. But filled with grief and without a way to get to his mom, Matt sat alongside the road and wept. Sgt. David Robinson saw the young man's pain and sat beside him. He prayed with Matt and offered to drive him to Detroit, a trip of over 100 miles.

Matt accepted the officer's generosity.

To protect and serve, and finish the job

All too often, we hear about local police and members of the community they are charged to protect and serve locked in conflict. Tempers flare, fear reigns, violence is common. No one wins. We all lose.

So this story on the front page of the York Daily Record is a breath of fresh air.  It seems that in late July, Officer Andrew Shaffer of the Northern York Regional Police was called to a home. A man had suffered a fatal heart attack while mowing his lawn. Officer Shaffer notified the family and waited until the coroner arrived. A sad duty, no doubt, but probably all part of the job.

After his shift was over, Officer Shaffer went above and beyond his call of duty. On his own time, he went back to the same home and finished mowing the lawn.

The appreciative family contacted the police chief to make sure he knew about the officer's kindness.