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This Photo Turns NYPD Cop Into Hero

Lawrence DePrimo knelt as he gave homeless man boots

By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 29, 2012 6:43 AM CST | Updated Nov 29, 2012 7:21 AM CST

(Newser) – 'Tis the season for a little feel-good news, and this story out of chilly NYC more than fits the bill. As the New York Times explains, 25-year-old Officer Lawrence DePrimo was on duty in Times Square when he encountered a barefoot homeless man walking gingerly on his heels with visible blisters on his feet on Nov. 14. After learning his shoe size, DePrimo ducked into a Skechers store, then knelt on the ground as he helped the man put the new pair of shoes on—a moment captured on the cellphone of an Arizona tourist, who later described the shot to the NYPD in an email.

It requested a copy and in turn posted it to Facebook on Tuesday, where it has gotten more than 311,000 likes as of this writing. And one kindness begets another: The Times notes that the manager of the store was so touched—or, in his words, "shocked"—that he gave DePrimo an employee discount, bringing the cost of the all-weather boots down to about $75 from $100. DePrimo, who lives with his parents on Long Island, says he has since kept the receipt on him, "to remind me that sometimes people have it worse."

It was freezing out and you could see the blisters on the man’s feet. I had two pairs of socks and I was still cold. -Officer DePrimo
"It was freezing out and you could see the blisters on the man’s feet. I had two pairs of socks and I was still cold." -Officer DePrimo   (Facebook)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 95 comments
brandonH
Dec 2, 2012 1:57 PM CST
THERE is a real Hero.....'long-life officer DePrimo'.
Naked_Emperor
Nov 29, 2012 11:30 PM CST
I think I am in love.
lvan
Nov 29, 2012 1:58 PM CST
This shit made me misty eyed. Thank you for being Human officer.
 

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