Cop helps runaway kid going beyond call of duty

Police officers are always facing the brunt of civilians when something goes wrong. At times they are at fault and are right to be berated, but then again there are wonderful officers who go out of their way to help people in need. Gaetano Acerra is one of them.

When Officer Gaetano Acerra of the Sumter police Department got a distressed call from one 13-year-old Cameron Simmons little did he know, his going to check on him would change the youngster’s life forever.

When he started talking to Cameron, the boy told him that his mom was yelling at him for playing his older brother’s video games and he wanted to run away from home, but Officer Acerra sensed there was more going on.

But it was only when Acerra looked into the boy’s bedroom that he truly understood the gravity of the situation.

The youngster’s room was completely empty. His clothes were thrown in a trash bag. He didn’t even have a bed. He was sleeping on the floor which would give him back pains.

It seems that his mother had fallen into financial difficulties since moving from Texas to care for a sick relative, and when officer Acerra saw the boy’s situation, he knew he had to help.

That’s when Officer Acerra did the unthinkable. Touched beyond belief, he totally went beyond the call of duty.

Cameron, his brother and his mom had no idea that Officer Acerra was busy organizing a major surprise. He spent weeks gathering items for the family — and putting together a complete bedroom for his new friend Cameron.

With the help of his brother, Acerra loaded up and dropped off a brand new desk, chair, television, bed and Wii game system for Cameron. He also gave Cameron’s brother a full bedroom and an air hockey table for them to play together.

Police around the world often seem to get a lot of bad press, but this story goes to show there are many policemen who go beyond and above their duty to serve those around them.