Police Officer Michelle Burton suited up for work Tuesday, thinking she would have another normal day. However, when a photo was snapped of her and what she was holding that night, the image ignited an immediate social media reaction.

Tom Brown Village public housing in Birmingham, Alabama

Officers responded to a call just before 9 p.m. to an apartment at Tom Brown Village public housing community on Fifth Court North in Birmingham, Alabama. Neighbors called 911 after hearing the children crying inside the apartment and checked on them, only to find the mother and father unconscious inside.

When police made their way into the apartment, the mother was found unconscious on the couch but with a pulse, while the father was dead on the kitchen floor. Both parents had suffered a drug overdose. Rescue workers revived the mother, and she is recovering at a hospital, but that’s when Officer Michelle Burton went above and beyond her job duties.

The touching moment was captured with a photo. Michelle’s husband, Sgt. Brian Burton with the Jefferson County sheriff’s office, praised his wife in a social media post.

Police Officer Michelle Burton comforts one of four children after their father died from a drug overdose and their mom was rushed to the hospital.

“Last night, my wife Michelle Burton told me she would be late getting off work because of a call she was on where the parents of 4 small children had both overdosed. Michelle said the father was dead and the mother was critical. She spent the rest of the night taking care of these babies. She got home at 4 this morning. I’ve never seen her more beautiful than in this picture. What an incredible woman,” Sgt. Brian Burton said in a Facebook post

Officers said that they found four children inside, all of whom belonged to the couple: a 7-year-old girl, a 3-year-old boy, a 2-year-old boy, and a 1-month-old girl.

This touching image captures the heart and soul of most police officers. Although these children did not belong to her, the mothering instinct took over and she was able to provide the comfort and support needed to those who are among the most innocent. Michelle Burton went above and beyond in her care for these kids, and her compassion will hopefully have a lasting impact on children harmed by drugs at such young ages.