Kind police officer comforts toddler after finding him wandering streets alone

He wasn’t obligated to stay with the boy but he did. He said he felt it was just ‘human instinct to pick him up and When calls came into the station about a small child wandering the streets alone, Officer James Hurst responded immediately.

Hurst is an officer in Savannah, Georgia and although it is his job to protect and serve, he went above and beyond the call of duty.

Concerned citizens saw the little boy wandering around in the cold and were worried about his safety.

They called the police station for help and Officer Hurst responded.
A photograph that says a thousand words.
Officer Hurst didn’t waste a single moment getting that little boy to safety. He was able to pick him up and take him to get an exam at a nearby hospital.

While at the hospital, the officer was photographed cradling the young boy. The photo quickly went viral because of the compassion you see in the officer’s face.

He wasn’t obligated to stay with the boy but he did.

Understandably, the little boy became very scared and nervous during the hospital exam. Hurst was right by his side to comfort him.

He picked up the boy and held him tight.
He felt it was just ‘human instinct to pick him up and comfort him,’ he told KTLA 5 News.

Sometimes an embrace can be healing.
Hurst told KTLA 5 News that the hospital staff was great and looked after the little boy with such care. However, after the boy kept crying, the officer grabbed him and held him against his chest. This immediately calmed the little boy.

His instincts as a father kicked in. The little boy fell asleep right away, and the now-famous picture was taken. The picture of Hurst shows the best in people, and the world fell in love with it.

Having been a father, Hurst just did what felt right.