PLANO, Texas (CNN) — A random act of kindness from a Texas police officer moved one man to tears. During a traffic stop, Hayden Carol, was cited for an expired registration sticker. Struggling to pay bills, Carlo told the officer — it was feed his kids or get new tags.
“There’s no explanation for why I haven’t done it, except I don’t have the money,” Carlo said. “It was either feed my kids or get my registration done.”
The officer wrote a citation and handed it Carlo.
“I opened it up and there’s a $100 bill,” he said. “I broke down in my car. What else could I do?”
The officer never told anyone about the $100 gift. But Carlo’s grandfather, Billy McIntire, was so moved by the kind gesture he wrote a letter to the department.
“I get emotional when we talk about this type of thing,” McIntire said. “You just don’t find that many officers who would do this type of thing.”
The officer did not want to be identified, however his coworkers plan to honor him anyway.
“He basically told me he felt this man needed it more than him and it was the right thing to do,” said David Tilley, department spokesperson.
Using the money the officer gave him, Carlo was able to update the registrations on his car and his wife’s car. He’s now driving to a new job and providing for his growing family.
“He helped me out when I needed it and I appreciate that,” Carlo said. “I’ll never forget that man. It definitely restored my faith in God.”
