The officer later decided that he wanted to reunite with the young man. “I’m touched by this kid,” he admitted. “I know the chances of this reaching his mom are slim, but kid, you impressed me,” Holt posted on social media, hoping to reach the boy. “I experienced something that actually set me back a little. It didn’t set me back because I was shocked, but because I got to witness it firsthand,” he wrote.
“With all the hate fueled by color, belief, sexual preference, or race, it actually pisses me off. Why? Because most of it is based on what they read in the papers. Most of it isn’t based on personal experiences,” Officer Holt added. “This kid cared less about race, religion, or color. The only thing this kid cared about was being kind.”
Because of the impression Tyrea Pryor had made on him, Officer Joe Holt made an offer, hoping it would get back to the boy who had made his day. “Kiddo, if you see me on the street again, this guy owes you a dinner. If you ever need anything, I will come running to you,” Holt promised. And he got to make good on his word.
As his wish came true, Officer Holt was able to reunite with Tyrea after a family member saw the post on the Independence Police Department’s Facebook page and called the police department. According to Fox 4 KC, he took the 14-year-old and his mother, Ebony, out to dinner to show his appreciation for what the boy had done for a complete stranger on that rainy day. “As promised, after finding him, I took him out to dinner. He and his wonderful mom, Ebony, enjoyed some Red Lobster,” Holt said, adding, “This kiddo, who I have only known a short time, already means the world to me.”
The local news also caught up with Tyrea, but the humble teen didn’t think he had done anything out of the ordinary. “I’ve been doing that since I was young, just like helping people,” Tyrea said, explaining that he has made helping people a habit. “It looked like she needed help,” he said, referring to the elderly woman. “I was raised to do right by anybody,” he added. “It doesn’t matter what race or anything. That’s the definition of being a good citizen.”
Let Tyrea’s character and his words be an example for us all. “It doesn’t matter who it is, just do what you know is correct,” he said, and you really can’t argue with that motto.
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