Police officer spends over $150 on cold weather supplies for homeless man

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A Georgia police officer is being praised after body camera video showed him helping a homeless man face bitterly cold nights, WANF reports.

Gwinnett County Police said on social media they discovered the video during a recent bodycam footage audit. Sgt. Todd Heller bought the man cold weather supplies, like an insulated sleeping bag, toe warmers and socks, on Jan. 17. He spent more than $150 – all of which came from his own pocket, police said.

“Sgt. Heller is a great representative of a GCPD officer!” the department wrote.

The video shows Heller approaching the man, who is holding a sign that reads “waiting on a blessing,” on the side of the road. Then, he offers to buy him a blanket and food, and the two shake hands.

Heller invites the man into his patrol car. While driving to Walmart, the two review the week’s upcoming overnight weather, which promised temperatures as low as 16 degrees Fahrenheit.

In the store, Heller loads a cart with the supplies. He also asks if the man wants canned goods, which he declines.

“You did enough, man,” the man said.

Heller parts with the man in the parking lot, wishing him well, while the man thanks the officer.

“You were waiting for a blessing, right?” Heller said. “God blessed you today. You just didn’t know it was gonna be me.”

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