2 officers replace little boy's stolen bike

[Buttercup]

'WHEELIE' GOOD DAY!
2 officers replace little boy's stolen bike
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A 6-year-old Jersey City boy was punched in the face when robbers took his bike, but two thoughtful Hudson County sheriff's officers turned the boy's trauma into gladness when they surprised him with a brand new bike the next day.

Haytham Merimi still had a faint black and blue mark on his left cheek yesterday, but his smile outshined it.

"I like it a lot and I like the sheriff's officers a lot, too," said Haytham yesterday of Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, Officer Bruce Miller and his electric green-colored "Rhino."

On Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Haythem was in Lincoln Park with family members when a group of boys approached him. One of them punched him in the face and they took his bike. Haythem said he threw up as they left with his bike.

Miller and Officer Daniel River were dispatched and the boy pulled at Miller's heart strings. They said Haytham was brave during the interview and didn't cry, not at first anyway.

"He asked Miller to call him when his bike was found," said Gonzalez yesterday. "The officers were honest and said they didn't know if they would find it and the boy started crying. Miller told him he would try really hard to find the bike, and the boy hugged him."

Back at the Sheriff's Office Miller told Gonzalez what happened.

"I told Officer Miller, 'Let's buy the child a bike' and Miller said, 'I was thinking the same thing,'" Gonzalez said. "I told him to buy the bike and we'd split the cost. Beauty of it was it was the same kind of bike the boy had.

"We went to the boy's house (Sunday) and gave it to him. He was really happy and his father kept saying 'I can't believe this.'"

The boy's father, Hassan Merimi, came from Morocco seven years ago and he works in a Brooklyn deli. He said he took Haytham back to the park Sunday to show him it was OK. He said his son was very traumatized from the robbery but the bike turned that around.

"Their kindness amazed us because (Haytham) changed suddenly and he was better," the father said.

Gonzalez said he and Miller bought Haytham the bike for that exact reason.

"Anything that happens to a child, if it is something traumatic, I don't think they forget it," Gonzalez said. The sergeant said Haytham can remember that "Yeah, something bad happened, but those nice officers, they gave me a bike."

[BEB]

Great story. That's the sort of thing I like to read.

Off to suggest a new idea for the next LEF contest.

[countybear]

It's called 'going above and beyond the call of duty'. Officers Miller and Gonzales have the feel for this job that we all should. We are charged with being caretakers of the people. Although often we only wind up protecting them from themselves, every once in a while... the stars line up just right and we make a real and positive difference in the life of one or more of those we serve. In spite of all the black eyes we take, imagine this child, his family, and the community where they live waking up a little kinder and gentler, all because two cops cared enough to brighten it. No heroic deed or sacrifice necessary, just a gesture that speaks volumes about why they chose this profession.

Fellow LEO's, thank you all for caring enough to accept the risks, pick up the pieces, feel the losses, and bear the burdens. I have said it before, and I'll say it again: we are a special breed, let us cherish that and never forget it.

[Morning Coffee]

Great story and inspiration , sure wish the good things cops do would be told by news people more often .

[Buttercup]

It's called 'going above and beyond the call of duty'. Officers Miller and Gonzales have the feel for this job that we all should. We are charged with being caretakers of the people. Although often we only wind up protecting them from themselves, every once in a while... the stars line up just right and we make a real and positive difference in the life of one or more of those we serve. In spite of all the black eyes we take, imagine this child, his family, and the community where they live waking up a little kinder and gentler, all because two cops cared enough to brighten it. No heroic deed or sacrifice necessary, just a gesture that speaks volumes about why they chose this profession.

Fellow LEO's, thank you all for caring enough to accept the risks, pick up the pieces, feel the losses, and bear the burdens. I have said it before, and I'll say it again: we are a special breed, let us cherish that and never forget it.

That's a wonderful post, countybear.

[conalabu]

Great story and inspiration , sure wish the good things cops do would be told by news people more often .

+1

[foxxymomma50]

It's called 'going above and beyond the call of duty'. Officers Miller and Gonzales have the feel for this job that we all should. We are charged with being caretakers of the people. Although often we only wind up protecting them from themselves, every once in a while... the stars line up just right and we make a real and positive difference in the life of one or more of those we serve. In spite of all the black eyes we take, imagine this child, his family, and the community where they live waking up a little kinder and gentler, all because two cops cared enough to brighten it. No heroic deed or sacrifice necessary, just a gesture that speaks volumes about why they chose this profession.

Fellow LEO's, thank you all for caring enough to accept the risks, pick up the pieces, feel the losses, and bear the burdens. I have said it before, and I'll say it again: we are a special breed, let us cherish that and never forget it.

Nicely put! +1

[Bob Loblaw]

That's a wonderful post, countybear.

Agreed. I'd rep you if it weren't for the DAMN "you must spread some rep around" message I get everytime I try to ....

[Just KC]

What a great thing to read!! Yes, THIS is the stuff I wanna see on my news every night.

[deputy344]

Man, this story is awesome. It almost brings a tear to my eye. These two officers are great. Its nice to know that there are officers out there like that. What kind of scum would punch a 6 year old boy for his bicycle.

[10-42Adam]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[KaiGywer]

Great job by the officers! They really made a difference in that kid's life

[Crimebytes2]

It's called 'going above and beyond the call of duty'. Officers Miller and Gonzales have the feel for this job that we all should. We are charged with being caretakers of the people. Although often we only wind up protecting them from themselves, every once in a while... the stars line up just right and we make a real and positive difference in the life of one or more of those we serve. In spite of all the black eyes we take, imagine this child, his family, and the community where they live waking up a little kinder and gentler, all because two cops cared enough to brighten it. No heroic deed or sacrifice necessary, just a gesture that speaks volumes about why they chose this profession.

Fellow LEO's, thank you all for caring enough to accept the risks, pick up the pieces, feel the losses, and bear the burdens. I have said it before, and I'll say it again: we are a special breed, let us cherish that and never forget it.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to countybear again.

I just don't get it. I haven't given CB, much less anyone else, rep in a very long time. Sorry, CB! Will you accept a and instead?

[countybear]

I just don't get it. I haven't given CB, much less anyone else, rep in a very long time. Sorry, CB! Will you accept a and instead?

From you? Absolutely. Thanks CB2