After Missouri Teen Shields Senior Citizen From Rain, Cop Treats Him To Dinner

A police officer in Independence, Missouri, who posted a photo of a teenager helping a senior citizen in the rain later treated the 14-year-old and the boy's mother to dinner, according to news reports.

Posting on Facebook, the Independence Police Department provided Officer Joe Holt's written account of the good deed. Officer Holt said he was in a supermarket parking lot during a downpour and witnessed a teenage boy dash out of a parked van and use his jacket to shield an older woman from the rain.

Moved by the kind act, Holt snapped a photo and shared it on social media, where it reportedly went viral. "I was just totally thrilled by it," Holt told the Springfield News-Sun. "I couldn't let it go unnoticed."

After taking the photo, Holt told the news outlet that he followed the teen back to the van and spoke to the boy's mother.

"She teared up pretty good," Hold told the newspaper. "It was a moment between the both of us. I mean, I teared up a little bit. I'm a parent as well. I told her that I was very impressed with him and that he should be proud." Holt reportedly later announced online that he wanted to take the teen out to dinner.

Following news reports about the photo, the family of the 14-year-old good Samaritan, identified only as Tyrea, got in touch with Holt. On Sunday, Holt treated the teen and his mom to a meal , according to Kansas City's KMBC-TV.

Sharing photos of the get-together online, the Independence Police Department quoted Holt, saying, "Well, this kiddo, who I have only known a short time, already means the world to me. As promised, after finding him, I took him out to dinner. He and his wonderful mom Ebony enjoyed some Red Lobster."

Read more: Independence Police Department Facebook page, Springfield News-Sun, KMBC-TV