A photo of a police officer, standing in the snow, paying his respects as a funeral procession passes by is making its way across the nation.
“I really am appreciative of this. I didn’t know anyone was taking my picture,” that officer said Thursday.
The photo was taken by a woman driving by, just outside of Barboursville on Route 60.
We did a little digging and found the officer involved.
Like any old school cop will tell you, he said he doesn’t understand what the fuss is all about.
“To me, that was just common courtesy and decency and showing respect for a family that has lost a loved one,” Chief Joe Parsons, of the Milton Police Department said.
The post, at the time this story was published, had more than 8,000 shares and nearly 10,000 people clicked, “like” on the photo.
A photo, Chief Parsons said, is of any other day at work.
Parsons is a retired trooper with the West Virginia State Police.
He’s worked as a deputy sheriff and a city officer.
Law enforcement, he said, is just in his blood. “It becomes who you are rather that what you do,” he said.
As for the woman who posted the photo, she said her heart was moved, that she just wanted to be nice, to give this older gentleman a nice compliment.
“I really appreciate all the kind words they had to say. Maybe could’ve done without the ‘older gentleman’ part, because my guys are really wearing me out about that,” Parsons said, with a smirk and a smile.
Parsons doesn’t lack a sense of humor, and over the years he’s picked up a little wisdom along the way, too.
“I think the whole world could benefit by just taking a little bit of time and being a little more considerate of each other and of their feelings,” the chief said “Be supportive of those who are going through tough times.”
