Posted on 02/05/2010 9:24:24 PM PST by ellery
Bozeman Police Officer Marek Ziegler was called to Van’s IGA last Friday night to check on a shoplifting report.
The 33-year-old officer has been on the Bozeman force for three years. He is a K-9 handler and works nights, from about 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
When he got to the grocery store on North Seventh Avenue, employees told Ziegler that a 32-year-old man had stuffed food and “pens, pencils, maybe markers, things for his kids” into his coat.
The officer arrested the man, cited him for theft and then released him.
But the story didn’t end there.
Ziegler had asked the man why he had been stealing.
“He was really upset,” Ziegler said this week. “Basically, he told me he’s having a hard time and can’t provide the food for his family right now, so that’s why he was stealing.”
Ziegler already had the man’s address, but asked for the man’s phone number.
“I told him, ‘Give me 15 minutes,’ and I went and got him some food.”
Ziegler ran to Wal-Mart, picked up a few frozen pizzas and delivered them to the man’s house.
“Obviously, as a police officer, I have a job to do, but we’re still human, too,” Ziegler said.
When the officer handed over the food, the man shook his hand and thanked him for understanding, Ziegler said.
And then Ziegler kept the story to himself.
However, a Chronicle reporter was at the 911 dispatch center that night. She overheard tidbits of the officer’s report that he was going to buy the man some food. The Chronicle sought out the story. Ziegler wasn’t seeking attention for his good deed.
“These guys, they just don’t really brag about things like that,” Acting Police Chief Marty Kent said. “It wouldn’t surprise me that he wouldn’t say anything.”
Ziegler shrugged off the idea that he had done something out of the ordinary.
“It’s just what we do to take care of each other,” he said.
I like you.
News flash to ellery:
There are a lot of good things leos and police staff do.
You won’t read about.
Your won’t hear about it.
Thanks though, for posting this article.
Bump.
stuff it = unless, that is, you are personally aware of the person and his situation and circumstances - otherwise, you don’t know. you just think you do.
Actually, it looks like He already has.
Many cops have a teddy bear in the trunk because sometimes they have to take a daddy to jail and a kid needs consoling, and sometimes they have to tell a family daddy didn’t make it home.
Heck of a job
I believe the officer can distinguish between a run-of-the-mill thief, and a person in genuine distress. I’ve seen a lot of scams in my former occupation, but recognized when someone was sincerely in need of help.
I worked at an institution that provided daily meals for clients, who were mostly mentally ill, ex cons, and drug addicts. Once a woman was there, dressed to the max, with a little boy. She was told that underage kids were not allowed in. I went to the kitchen, fixed them meals to go, along with a food bag. The woman cried, and said she was so embarrassed to not have food. Crap happens to people all the time, and if you have the means, you help, or get out of the way.
Give a man food and he eats for a day. Theft is not an option IMO.
I cant speak for the man’s situation. But, there are alot of working poor who are not eligible for services. Maybe they make just enough to get by, but God forbid the car breaks down or you have to miss a day of work.
What a great "gotcha"! Sadly, some people are just plain negative. No matter what the story they'll manage to find something negative to say. Bummer.
Sometimes you just help.
I took my 11 year old with me and he whined and complained a lot at first. As I talked to him about their situation he got a little more enthusiastic. Then he got the job of ringing the doorbell and running like heck after we'd snuck the groceries onto the porch.
As we were driving away he said, "I actually feel a little warm inside." So, it was good all around, and I found out yesterday the husband has a new job.
You can’t fool me, I know that that is you mac daddy.
Just can’t stand for someone else to be the center of anyones attention.
Not nearly as much as one F.R, poster, his life mission is to dig up every "bad cop" story he can find and post them at F.R.
"Good cop" stories don't generally make the news, it's good to see one.
I belong to a quilt guild (65 of us), we do a lot of charity quilting. Adult bibs for an Alzhimer center (120 a year), cough pillows and quilts for the children's hospital in Memphis, for LEO's for 3 PD's who get quilts twice a year when requested for young accident/trauma victims, we send a quilt with each kid the Shriners take to the burn center, then their is the Alpha Omega House (transistion house) for recovering addict Veterans, and Valor Quilts for the wounded we've sent over 300 of those. We picked up a new charity this past week in making tiny quilts for the stillborn and preemies that didn't make it.
We know we put smiles on lots of faces we never saw. One wounded Vet thought when they loaded him on the plane to make the return flight to the states they wouldn't let him keep his and got upset...they were just trying to get him comfortable before they returned it.
Many of our ladies and 2 gentlemen pray over their creations for the unknown person who is to receive it. I know I do.
Great story. Your child learned a lesson he’ll never forget and the family got some much needed help.
You remind me of al the limp wristed do gooders here during the “runaway bride” ordeal. Prayer groups, people following every media utterance, etc, etc.
And of course the people who bitched at me when I told them her story was BS.
Next time we’ll direct the thief to your home address. I’m sure he could use your gas, a few antiques to sell, and your excess food in the fridge.
THen stealing is the answer?
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