In July, an intoxicated driver was pulled over and arrested on Highway 74 in Georgia by Tyrone police officer Jacob Collins.
Fox 5 Atlanta / Via fox5atlanta.com
The man, who has not been named, went to court, was fined, and put on probation for DUI.
But it was what happened next that shocked officers at the small town police department.
The man wrote a letter to the department thanking Officer Collins for arresting him and saving his life and the lives of others.
"I do not like being on probation, and I do not enjoy paying a series of fines, fees and insurance hikes; however, I am grateful to be alive. I thank Officer Collins and your entire department," he wrote.
Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins was so surprised by the letter he chose to share it on the police department's Facebook page. The story was then reported by local news channel Fox 5 Atlanta.
Fox 5 Atlanta / Via fox5atlanta.com
Here's the full text of the letter sent to Chief Perkins.
I write to express my thanks and gratitude to Officer Jacob Collins.Officer Collins pulled me over on Highway 74 during the morning of July 31, 2015. I was severely intoxicated. He saved my life and the lives of others, and I truly appreciate his actions and his efforts. I must emphasize that he was very polite and professional and did not provoke with intimidation. He treated me fairly, and I never felt ridiculed or threatened.
I have nothing to gain from contacting you. I have already been to court and received my punishments. I contact you because the media and public opinion are saturated with images of officers using excessive force. Officers are constantly on the defensive. The public does not want to acknowledge proper procedures; the public merely wants to see an officer make a mistake to keep the argument and the social media images flowing. You all need to know that what you do every day matters, and we appreciate it.
I do not like being on probation, and I do not enjoy paying a series of fines, fees and insurance hikes; however I am grateful to be alive. I thank Officer Collins and your entire department.
Chief Perkins told BuzzFeed News he and his officers were very taken aback when the letter arrived.
Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins is interviewed about the letter
Fox 5 Atlanta / Via fox5atlanta.com
He said he shared the letter to show people the relationship between police and the public did not have to be an adversarial one.
"I've received thank you letters for changing a tire or solving a crime but I've never got a letter thanking one of my officers for arresting someone," Chief Perkins told BuzzFeed News.
"There's a lot of news about the adversarial relationship between police and the public so I wanted to share this letter to show the good work our officers do. There are a lot more positive things happening in the police force than get reported.
Fox 5 Atlanta / Via fox5atlanta.com
"[Officer Collins] was very taken aback when the letter arrived, but he thought it was very positive and very interesting that someone recognized what he had done. We are used to getting cussed at and not these kinds of letters.
"This is a testament to what our police officers do every day. Our job is to go out and make sure people are safe and that is what Officer Collins did that night," Chief Perkins said.
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/20ZWrta
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