We all recognize Superman by his cape. We thrill to see Spider-Man throw his webs. And Justin Roby? Well he’s known for baby formula!
Earlier this year, Roby, who is an officer with the London Police Department in Kentucky, was called to respond to a standard shoplifting call. However, once he arrived on the scene, he didn’t have it in his heart to arrest the suspect. The accused was man, a dad, who had only swiped one item off of the store shelf: baby formula for his infant son. After Roby arrived and assessed the situation, even the store decided not to press charges.
“Me citing him for court wouldn’t have done any good for him,” Roby said, explaining his actions. “He’s already short on money, can’t afford formula, so me making him appear in court, he’s still not going to have any food for that baby.
Instead of arresting him and just letting him go, Roby took his compassion a step further. He purchased several cans of formula for the man to take home to his baby. When asked about this donation in light of the circumstances, Roby felt it wasn’t a big deal. He said, “You see your son or your daughter in that little carrier and you think what would you want somebody to do for your son or your daughter? Behind the uniform, I’m a human being and I’m a person out in this community just like any of them. I have a little boy. I’m a father just like this gentleman is. We’re not these robots … there’s a human behind the badge.”
A good lesson for everyone. Practicing that golden rule can create a super hero out of anyone willing to go the extra mile.