In times like these, it's more important than ever to be reminded that there is so much good still in the world.
With a recent tragedy like the Las Vegas shooting, it's easy to focus on the darkness and to feel helpless. But one Ohio deputy has singlehandedly proven that there are still everyday heroes out there who are doing their part to make a difference in the world.
A photo of Deputy Ali Muntean sitting in her patrol car with a young boy recently went viral after it was shared on the Stark County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page on September 27, 2017. In the picture, the two are smiling warmly with a bag of McDonald's between them. But the story behind the photo makes it so much more heartwarming.
Scroll through to read the incredible story of one woman's kind act when she discovered that a little boy in her community needed help getting to school.
Thumbnail Photo: Facebook / Stark County Sheriff's Office
[H/T: KDVR]
Ali Muntean is a police officer with the Stark County Sheriff's Office in Ohio.
She was sworn in as a deputy sheriff on April 9, 2015.
Deputy Muntean is also a school resource officer at Plain Local Schools.
Deputy Muntean explains to LittleThings that it is very important to her to share the positive encounters that she, as a law enforcement officer, has with her young students.
"It warms my heart when kiddos are genuinely happy to see me — and even better when I meet their families, and they tell me that their kids come home and talk about me, and that they enjoy having me in their lives," she said.
Deputy Muntean, a mom herself, clearly shares a special bond with many of the students in the schools that she serves.
Deputy Muntean found out that a local boy named Davonte didn't have a ride to school the morning of September 27, 2017. She immediately volunteered to take him herself.
The 12-year-old's mother was receiving medical care, according to the caption alongside the photo posted by the Stark County Sheriff's Office. Per Ohio law, Davonte was safely and legally seated in a front seat, rather than forced to ride in the potentially scary back of the patrol car.
But Deputy Muntean didn't just stop there. She also treated the young man to breakfast.
“We sat and ate our breakfast together and on his way to class he went with a big smile on his face,” said Deputy Muntean. “I enjoyed his company and assured him he could always reach out for a ride or breakfast any time.”
She tells LittleThings that when she suggested McDonald's for breakfast, it immediately perked the boy up. "I told him to order whatever he’d like — which happened to be a 10-count nuggets and a Sprite!"
The Facebook post about Deputy Muntean and Davonte's story went viral, with nearly 1,000 shares as of this writing.
Members of the community who recognized the deputy were quick to share their own impressions of her, proving that this generous act wasn't anything out of the ordinary for her.
"I love the Munteans! Her husband is amazing as well! We just moved into Plain Local from Northwest Local where her husband is the resource officer, and it makes me happy to know that she's the resource officer out here," one local named Nicole Boring wrote. "We're blessed to have people like them in our community!"
Deputy Muntean found her inspiration to perform this kind act from a friend and fellow officer.
She tells LittleThings:
Officer Lamar Sharpe of the Canton Police Department is (aside from my own husband) truly the most inspirational and admirable police officer I know. He is a community relations officer that spends his daily tour of duty mingling with students and children residing and obtaining their education in the city of Canton. He posts photos and videos multiple times daily of his positive encounters and how he impacts our youth so greatly.
From the moment I met Officer Sharpe, I knew I wanted to emulate how he performs as a role model and mentor for the children he comes in contact with so often. He started the Be A Better Me Foundation, which has done so much good for the city of Canton and families in need.
It wasn’t long after I started my assignment in Plain Local Schools (which borders the city of Canton) that I, too, wanted to make the type of impact that Officer Sharpe sets forth every day.
Deputy Muntean, who previously served in the Army National Guard, explains that she and her husband are also teaching their children to live by the "Army values" of "loyalty, duty, respect, selfless device, honor, integrity, and personal courage."
She also credits her faith and service to God with inspiring her generosity.
Deputy Muntean also wants to emphasize that she hasn't done anything extraordinary or atypical that isn't being done by many other law enforcement officials all over the country.
She says:
An act that I did, something so simple, is an act that is happening all over the country, by countless police officers. As a school resource officer, picking students up for school is a simple expectation of our daily routine.
It’s not a form of a “free taxi service,” as so many see it. It’s as simple as getting students to school, where they belong, and to ensure they’re safe while in the hands of so many great administrators, teachers, staff, and their peers.
Building relationships between students and law enforcement is also another very important aspect to our job description. We want them to feel comfortable and appear to be approachable for any problem they feel needs addressed.
Lastly, as far as taking this young man to get some breakfast, that was a motherly instinct. It is my hope that if we were ever in need of our own children to be taken to school or in the care of an individual involved in any public safety position, that they too would ensure my kiddo had everything they needed to make their day successful.
Don't forget to SHARE this story in appreciation of Deputy Muntean's act of kindness and generosity and to share her positive message!
