A young boy in Florida has garnered widespread attention and made a law enforcement officer’s day after calling 9-1-1 just to give a deputy a hug.
The touching encounter between the boy and Deputy Scott Pracht of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was captured on body-camera footage and the home’s doorbell camera.
Pracht initially responded to a disconnected 9-1-1 call near Tampa, which was considered a potential emergency. The officer knocked on the door of the residence, and a woman soon appeared. The officer inquired about the 9-1-1 call, and the woman explained that her son, who had a disconnected cellphone, didn’t understand the true purpose of 9-1-1.
The boy, excited and eager, made his way to the front door as he admitted his real intention.
“Well, I wanted to give him a hug.”
Pracht couldn’t help but chuckle, and the young boy promptly hugged the deputy’s legs. It turned out that the child believed that the officer’s number was 9-1-1.
However, Pracht took the opportunity to educate the young boy about the importance of 9-1-1 as an emergency lifeline, advising him to use it only when someone is hurt or needs help.
The boy, realizing his mistake, apologized, and the officer reassured him, “It’s OK, kid, don’t worry about it,” before giving him a fist bump as he left the property.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister appreciated the child’s “genuine kindness,” noting that his deputies are happy to give hugs to kids upon request.
However, he also underscored the vital role of 9-1-1 in emergencies and encouraged parents and educators to teach children about the appropriate use of emergency services.
“Our deputies are more than willing to share a hug and spread love to children in our community. However, it’s essential for everyone to remember that 9-1-1 is a lifeline for emergencies,” Chronister said.
The encounter has since been widely shared on social media, with many viewers commending Pracht for his understanding and patience.
“Thank you sir for being patient with this child and explaining things. A very kind thing to do. Mom, take him by the police station for a visit, or by the fire station. It would mean so much to him,” one commenter wrote.
