Officer Brings Christmas to Family Recovering From Fire, Robbery
By Anthonia Akitunde in Miscellaneous on Dec 27, 2009 10:00PM
Here's a story to warm the heart of even the biggest Scrooge in Chicago, especially in the wake of the violence that happened over this holiday weekend. A Chicago police officer took on the role of Santa for a South Side family dealing with two back-to-back, Christmas tragedies: a fire and a burglary.
Officer Michael Lawrence, who responded to the burglary call, gave the Brown family toys, clothes and gift cards after hearing their harrowing story.
According to Chicago Breaking News, the Browns - mother Tondonlia and her two children, Shaun Taylor, 6, and Keiara Taylor - escaped a fire in their Englewood apartment Friday morning. After firefighters rescued them, the family went to St. Bernhard Hospital to receive treatment for smoke inhalation, the report said.
While the Browns were away, burglars raided the apartment, entering the home through windows firefighters broke to rescue the family. The burglars stole gifts from under the tree, gaming systems, clothing, jewelry and a big-screen television. Brown, who has been unemployed and searching for a job since she was laid off in January, said she used the last of her money to buy her children presents as a reward for good grades.
Officer Lawrence said that after speaking to the family, he couldn't get their story off his mind. Lawrence used his own money to give Brown and her children, "$200 Sears gift cards, two police action figures, and 'Kids on Patrol' hats and T-shirts," the report said.
Brown told the Tribune she was grateful for Lawrence's actions, saying, "He did more than what was expected, in my opinion. You don't hear of too many good cops like that."