Police officers undergo extensive training to prepare for the wide range of situations they may encounter each day. However, some incidents are beyond any training.
When a tragic car accident left a father dead and a mother severely injured, a two-year-old child was rescued from the wreckage, terrified and covered in gasoline.
Officer Nick Struck, part of the rescue team, picked up the little girl and did everything he could to comfort her. A photo of the two, captured in that moment, quickly went viral, and it’s easy to see why.
The Incident
When officers arrived at the scene of the crash in Brighton, Colorado, they found a family in critical condition. Tragically, the father had passed away, while the mother and child were airlifted to the hospital.
The two-year-old girl was pulled from the overturned car, seemingly uninjured but drenched in gasoline and visibly scared.
Officer Struck’s Touching Gesture
Officer Nick Struck, who had been involved in the rescue, cradled the little girl in his arms and began walking away from the horrifying scene. Understanding the child’s fear, he started to sing to her—just as he would for his own daughter.
“My daughter, when she falls down and hurts herself, I sing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’… So I started singing it to the little girl,” Officer Struck shared with 9NEWS.
His calming voice seemed to ease the child’s distress, and the heartwarming image of the two together quickly spread across the internet.
Going Above and Beyond
This is just one example of the many times police officers go above and beyond their duties, often without recognition. Officer Struck’s compassionate act served as a reminder of the humanity behind the badge, and how simple gestures can make a world of difference in times of crisis.
Please share this story to honor the officer who did everything in his power to comfort a terrified child in need.