When police officers respond to calls, they usually have no idea what kind of situation they are dealing with until they arrive at the scene.
But, they never back down from helping out those in need, but instead bravely put their lives on the line. One police officer in South Carolina recently responded to a call, not realizing that the caller would be significantly changing his life.
It all happened when Officer Gaetano Acerra answered a call from a 13-year-old boy named Cameron Simmons. Officer could immediately tell that the boy was extremely upset, so he asked what was wrong.
He eventually set up a one-on-one meeting with Cameron, where the officer learned that the distraught child wanted to run away from home. He claimed it was because his mother had yelled at him about video games. But Officer Acerra soon learned the issue was much deeper than that.
Cameron led the officer inside his house, and then into his bedroom. Officer Acerra was shocked to discover that the child’s room was completely empty.
He didn’t even have a bed. All he had was a trash bag of clothes, because his mother could not afford to buy him a dresser.
Accera went on to learn that Cameron’s mother had fallen on hard times. The family had to move from Texas to South Carolina very suddenly in order to care for a sick relative.
When he learned what had happened to the Simmons family, and how hard the boy’s parents were struggling financially, Officer Acerra decided to do something unthinkable.
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Unbeknownst to Cameron or his family, Officer Acerra started organizing a major surprise. He spent the next coming weeks gathering items for the family. With the help of his brother, Acerra loaded up and dropped off a brand new desk, chair, television, bed and Wii game system for Cameron.
He also gave Cameron’s brother a full bedroom set and an air hockey table so they could play together.
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And the surprise didn’t end there. Officer Acerra reports that he is also planning to Simons additional furnitures, including a mirror and a dresser for his clothes.
Cameron was shocked to tears. His grateful mother was in complete disbelief. Officer Accero was so happy he could help a family in need.
“I didn’t do this for publicity or to get people to notice me,” said Acerra in his interview with the WSMV. “I did it because I could. It was the right thing to do and I think people should do things like this.”
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In fact, Acerra added that he also gained something invaluable from this. He had gained a 13-year-old friend.
What an amazing police officer – going above and beyond to help the Simmons family!
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