An Ohio woman walked into the Butler County Sheriff’s Office with a concerning question. A cop from the back overheard what she was wanting and looked out to see what was happening. That’s when he noticed what was behind her, then acted fast while nobody was paying attention to what was happening.

Butler County Sheriff Patrol Vehicle (left), Walmart in Oxford, Ohio (right)

The unnamed citizen wandered into the office with a single question, but she got much more than the answer she was seeking. Deputy Brian Bussell is no stranger to odd circumstances, having been in law enforcement for 25 years, but what this woman was hoping for help with was a first for the seasoned cop. However, he knew just what to do.

Bussell became aware that the woman had been evicted from her home, and with nowhere to go, the police station was her last and only resort. She walked in wanting help with housing, but Bussell stepped up with something else. The cop saw that she didn’t arrive alone, as she had her two young sons with her, who were also now homeless after being kicked out of their house.

Stranded woman’s sons sleeping at Butler County Sheriff’s office

Out of sight from the other officers and personnel at the station, Bussell approached the mother in private and said he had booked a 10-night stay for her and her sons at an area hotel. The accommodations were all paid for by him, out of his own wallet, but the interaction didn’t end with the generous gift. He also asked her to do something for him in return.

According to a Facebook post, he noticed that the clothing the mother and her boys had on was tattered and dirty, so he put the family in his patrol car and drove them to Walmart. Bussell dropped them off there, and before driving off, he instructed them to pick out something new to wear and to call him when they were done shopping so he could pay for it all, again on his own dime.

But the boys really needed something other than a new shirt on their back. The children shyly asked the officer if they could get new shoes, as it was clear theirs would not make it many more steps. Deputy Bussell didn’t hesitate and said they absolutely could. Something as simple as shoes to these kids was more than a fashion statement, they were a basic necessity in life that they would have to manage without, had it not been for this kind cop.

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones is very proud of one of his own for helping a homeless family. Deputy Brian Bussell, a 25 year veteran with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, noticed something was not quite right when he entered the jail lobby Sunday morning.

“I know our visitation is at 9 AM, and I saw the lady and the two young children sitting in the chairs,” Deputy Bussell said. “I assumed they were here to visit someone in our jail. When I walked back out a while later, the children were asleep, and the lady was still sitting there, so I inquired if she needed assistance.”

The lady had been evicted from her home in Oxford, Ohio where the children attend school. She stated she is in the waiting process for assistance with housing and should know something by Wednesday. Deputy Bussell, with the assistance of Dispatch Supervisor Miranda Sheppard, tried several shelters and other avenues to get them a place to stay. “Most of the shelters were overcrowded or there was a time requirement to be there and we were past that,” Deputy Bussell said. So he contacted a hotel in Oxford and booked a hotel for 10 days out of his own pocket.

Deputy Bussell took the family to the Walmart in Oxford. He told them to pick out clothes and to call him when they were ready to check out. The little boys asked if they could get shoes, and Deputy Bussell told them they absolutely could.

“He went to the Walmart when they were done and paid for everything,” Sheriff Jones said. “This is a true act of kindness. He did not tell anyone at work what he had done but the lady took a picture with him and posted it on Facebook. That’s actually how we found out. It was shared so many times that I got a phone call asking if I knew what a generous gesture my deputy did. I am pleased that he was able to help this family out. This speaks volumes in light of all the recent negativity people are saying about law enforcement. I have some of the best employees here.”

Deputy Bussell didn’t think his department would find out about what he had done for this family behind the scenes. However, the mother had taken a photo of her boys with Bussell and shared the touching incident on Facebook. Someone else saw the woman’s post and passed it on to the officer’s department to say thank you for their service.

“This is a true act of kindness,” Sheriff Richard K. Jones said of his caring colleague. “This speaks volumes in light of all the recent negativity people are saying about law enforcement. I have some of the best employees here.”

Bussell didn’t do it for accolades, he did it out of genuine love and concern for three strangers who were struggling. Officers’ paychecks aren’t huge, but this officer’s heart is and so was what he did for these kids and their mom with his own money.

h/t: [WSBTV]