I was trying to think of the best way to get folks to read this story, and of course, the headline is the most important thing. Now, what did you think this story would be about?
The headline is accurate, and not at all misleading. We’re just conditioned to believe that it’s going to be something bad, even on my harmless little blog. Anyway, here’s the photographic evidence, taken by Tabitha Gilbert-Colston, daughter of the couple being helped here:
Hamilton County Corrections Officer Anthony Chavez changes a tire on Highway 58
Hamilton County Corrections Officer Anthony Chavez is seen here changing a tire for Mike and Belinda Duncan, who had pulled over with a flat tire on the side of Highway 58 last Sunday afternoon. Belinda sent me this message: “I just wanted to issue a pat on the back for young Officer Anthony Chavez as he stopped in his personal car on his way to work . He asked if my husband and I needed help as we had a flat tire and we said, no thanks our son is on the way. But this young man jumped right in and put the tire on and helped get us going. We tried to tell him he might be late to work, but he said it was no problem, that he left home early. He got his pants dirty from being on the ground but he stayed there until we were on the road. We hear a lot of bad stories on officers but I wanted you to know about this polite man.”
According to Sheriff’s Office records, he has been with the department since April, one of the more recent corrections graduates. He is 24, and served in the U.S. Army.
His wife Alisha Chavez (also an Army veteran) said, “My husband is an amazing man, and has always gone above and beyond to help people.” On Facebook she added, “ I just wanted to bring some good attention to our local law enforcement because all I ever see is people on here complaining. I’m tired of seeing everybody cry about how they hate the cops because the cops do their jobs.”
Anthony and Alisha Chavez
So yes, there are stories about bad cops, bad doctors, bad politicians, and even bad newscasters. You don’t have to look very far to find those stories. As I’ve noted before, if we report stories about someone doing a good deed, it gets a handful of views and even fewer responses. But as soon as something negative is reported, there are clicks galore, and numerous all-caps comments like “LOCK HIM UP FOREVER!” (That’s one of the cleaner examples.)
So if you’ve read this story all the way down to here, and you’re not angry about clicking on a story you thought might be more controversial, let me say thank you. Thanks also to to Officer Anthony Chavez for performing this random act of kindness. I know you didn’t do it to get attention, but I’m proud to throw a little sunshine your way. There’s plenty of shade-throwing elsewhere.
And since Belinda Duncan is the person who asked me to share this with you, let me give her the last words, because they’re very important, and they need to be shared:
“David, remind drivers to please slow down and move over, if you see someone broke down and working. Some of the cars got dangerously close to my husband and Officer Chavez. And remember to give this young man a huge thanks.”
Great story congrats to officer Chaves Won’t see this story on MSNBC
Belinda is right about slowing down when passing a disabled vehicle. Those of us who do traffic reports for a living have always recognized Atlanta’s Capt. Herb Emory as the standard for excellence in our industry. It was about a year ago that we lost Capt. Herb when he was struck by a passing vehicle after he, like Officer Chavez, had stopped to help a complete stranger with changing a tire.
Thanks David we seem to only hear about the bad, I am proud to be a part of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. For 33 year I have worked with great men and women who display great work ethic, integrity and a genuine care for people of this community.
Great story, David. This young officer is worthy of much approbation. In fact, just being willing to serve as a corrections officer, which must be a daunting task, deserves the public’s appreciation. Thanks for sharing this story.
Great story! There are a lot of great officers out there.. thanks for sharing this story, and for all those officers putting their lives on the line!
Fantastic! We need more positive stories like this in the news.
This is such a wonderful story. Kudos to you David for passing along some good news. And an even bigger Kudos to Officer Chavez for showing that there are still chivalrous, kind young people in this world. There can be bad in any profession but the larger portion of our officers are good, hardworking people who risk their lives to keep us safe. Wonderful story!
Clever, David…I fell for it hook, line, and sinker…read all the way to the end smiling at myself all the while. Great tactic, my friend. Officer Chavez has a great friend in you as a newscaster…and now has great friends in all the admirers who read this fine article article!
David,
Thanks for sharing a story with a happy ending about our police. I will always believe that 99 percent of the officers are made of the same stuff. Nice to hear stories affirming that notion.
Bill
I know you well enough, David, so I knew this was going to be a feel good story about one our our city’s finest. Thanks for letting us all know that we hear about the few rotten apples loud and clear, but the majority of the barrel is full of decent, hard-working, conscientious and sympathetic people that don’t usually get the headlines. Bravo Officer Chavez.