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Chicago Officer Didn't Realize This Moment Was Caught in Photo — Until He Saw It Spreading Like Fire on the Internet
Image via Facebook/Chicago Police Department

Chicago Officer Didn't Realize This Moment Was Caught in Photo — Until He Saw It Spreading Like Fire on the Internet

"He was not aware that someone had captured the moment, a break in his day as he was finishing his lunch, while at work just yesterday."

As a Chicago police officer ate lunch at a Chipotle, he noticed a homeless black man "dumpster diving" outside of the window and proceeded to get the man's attention.

Then, without knowing anyone was watching — or much less, taking photos — Sergeant, B. Hagarty walked with the man up to the counter, ordered him lunch and shook his hand. But that wasn't the end of it.

A Chipotle patron heard Hagarty knock on the window and ask the man if he was hungry. The customer, Rachel Mitchell, took photos of the pair standing in line and posted it to Facebook with a heartfelt message, and it quickly went viral.

Image via Facebook/Chicago Police Department

Her post read:

"So today I saw something that made my day. This Chicago Police officer was sitting at a window seat at Chipotle, outside the window he saw a homeless man digging through the trash. The cop knocked on the window, getting the homeless man’s attention. Through the glass he asked the man if he was hungry. The man nodded yes, and the cop motioned for him to come inside. The cop told him to set what belongings he had next to him and told him to order what he wanted because he would pay for it. They stood in line together and at the end the cop paid for the man’s meal. A simple hand shake was exchanged between them and they parted ways like it was no big deal. Touched my heart so much, with all the (crap) police are getting these days it reminds me there’s so much more good out there than anyone ever wants to give credit. If everyone did something simple like this every day the world would be a better place.”

Members of the Chicago Police Department saw the post as it started to spread and approached Hagarty, who "reluctantly" corroborated Mitchell's post.

"We asked him if he knew he was in a story on social media," a post on the Chicago Police Department's Facebook reads. "He reluctantly said yes, a few friends had sent him the photos. He was not aware that someone had captured the moment, a break in his day as he was finishing his lunch, while at work just yesterday. He didn’t know the written story that had been posted on Facebook and re-posted by the Country Music Station Big 95.5 Chicago. We read the story posted originally by Rachel Mitchell to the Sergeant. He said 'yes, that’s exactly what happened.'"

According to the police department, Hagarty said a woman approached him as he was leaving the restaurant who told him "thank you." Hagarty said he believed it was the same woman who posted the photo and wanted to express his gratitude.

The Chicago Police Department said Hagarty, a 35-year veteran of the force, will retire this year.

"Sergeant Hagarty we thank you for leading the Chicago Police Department by example." 

019th District Town Hall – Sergeant HagartyLeading by ExampleA quote posted on social media, Facebook…Rachel...

Posted by Chicago Police Department on Friday, September 4, 2015

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