
In April 2017, Troy Belden was in the right place at the right time. The Daytona Beach Police Officer had just gone off-duty and had headed to McDonald's to order some chicken nuggets. While waiting in the drive-thru line, something up ahead caught his attention.
A 12-year-old boy, traveling with his dad and brother, had stopped inside the same McDonald's on their way to Disney World. After exiting the restaurant, the boy made his way back to his car where his family was waiting.
Troy realized the boy wasn't alone. He watched as an older man, who was acting "really bizarre," followed behind the child. But the boy was clearly trying to get away from the man. That's when things took a terrifying turn. Troy watched the boy open the car door, jump into the back seat and start screaming. The strange man was right behind him. He lunged into the car with a "Superman dive" and tried grabbing at the boy and his brother.
Once the officer saw the boys' father fighting with the alleged attacker, Troy sprung into action and announced himself as a police officer.
The man tried to escape… but Troy, who is also a father, wasn't about to let that happen.
