On A Happy Note: An Act Of Kindness For Deputy And His Family

August 31, 2015

On a “happy note”…the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office reports that Deputy Jay Zawawi was working a recent evening shift. During this shift, he had a dinner break and joined his family for a quick meal, something that’s often hard to do when working 2 p.m. until midnight.

As Zawawi and his family finished their meal at a local restaurant, a little girl about four-years old approached the uniformed deputy. She appeared shy, but was holding a small piece of paper in front of her face. The little girl said, “This is from my mommy,” and handed him the note. She walked away, not to be found again

Zawawi opened the note, which read:

“To You & Yours, Enjoy your meal. ♥ Thank you for all you do and will continue to do. Thank you to your family as well for all the sacrifices you have made as well. You Are Love & So Very Much Appreciated!”.

She also paid the entire restaurant bill for Zawawi and his family.

Comments

17 Responses to “On A Happy Note: An Act Of Kindness For Deputy And His Family”

  1. Elmo on September 1st, 2015 10:53 pm

    I am not a cop! Unless you are a cop or have love ones that are sworn to protect and serve, you may not realize what these men and women face while on duty! They really have less freedom to defend themselves from harm than the regular everyday citizens. Yet they are held at such legal risk, sometimes they may take one for the team, at their loss!! Why? Because they are trained professionals and that’s just want they do! I love this story, I refuse to eat inside a restaurant where I see law enforcement officers trying to enjoy their meal and me not walk out without saying thanks for your service and PAY their ticket! Try it, gratitude will pay off in the long run! It’s not Easy to be the PO PO!!!!

  2. Wharf Rat on September 1st, 2015 7:47 pm

    @ Joani: The generosity is appreciated, but a LEO sitting in a convenience store parking lot at 2AM, doing his reports, hopefully, doing a service to the community, cannot accept a cup of coffee from a stranger. As well as a stranger bringing into a sub-station, or a fire station, a box of pastries. A sign of the times. Get to know your local LEOs, and create a genuine friendship they can identify with before you offer them a treat.

  3. Joani on September 1st, 2015 12:57 pm

    Very nice! Hopefully more people will do the same. Baked goodies taken to district offices is appreciated.

  4. proud to call nw fl home on August 31st, 2015 7:40 pm

    We still have hope with acts of kindness like this. Thank you! Ur awesome!! To ur police officers thank you for everything you do for us. Thank you again God Bless you and ur family!!

  5. 0811 on August 31st, 2015 4:50 pm

    Not a better guy to have shown an act of kindness to. Sgt. Z is a great role model to represent law enforcment! Most people don’t realize the stress and strain that the job puts on their family. A small act of kindness like this child and mother took just a few mins out of there day to do. This means more than u could ever imagine.

  6. Terri Sanders on August 31st, 2015 12:25 pm

    The Bible has it right…as always. . It is better to give than to receive….

  7. Randy on August 31st, 2015 12:00 pm

    Glad to see you are still serving the citizens of Santa Rosa county, it was a pleasure to have served with you in Escambia county. Thank you for your service Jay….

  8. mq on August 31st, 2015 9:56 am

    Great Story.
    Thanks for sharing, William.

  9. my cousin on August 31st, 2015 9:30 am

    Hey Jay! Good going! We are always very proud of you and for all the hard work you do! Love you bunches! Susie

  10. Tom on August 31st, 2015 8:49 am

    It never hurts to be kind to these people, after all, they have a very difficult job. I used to give a $50.00 check to the Coffee Cup Restaurant to buy meals for any LEO that came in. Roy, the owner, would let me know when funds were running low and I would “fill the kitty” again. We owe the guys so much

  11. Carlton Vaughn on August 31st, 2015 8:30 am

    The cops in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are the very best. We’re blessed to have them.

  12. Michelle on August 31st, 2015 7:55 am

    Also, when I use to work at Hardee’s. Once a week when any police officers would come in. I would randomly pay for their meals. Or would give them an Ice cream of their choice as a thank you.

    Don’t worry Hardee’s It didn’t come out of your profits.

  13. Michelle on August 31st, 2015 7:52 am

    I was at Cracker Barrel with my husband and sons. The waitress came up after the meal and said “A gentleman said to tell you that he was watching (my husband and I with our sons) and was moved by the way we talked and laughed with each other. He was impressed with the love my husband had showed in taking care of me (since I am disabled) and the way I looked at him. And that the gentleman had payed our tab, with extra for dessert for the boys.

    I have know idea who this angel was, but who ever you are GOD Bless you, we have never forgotten your kindness.

  14. EMD on August 31st, 2015 7:44 am

    Great story. My thanks to all the good people in law enforcement.

  15. Jane on August 31st, 2015 4:47 am

    Maybe we all need to take a lesson from this little girl and her mom….these men and women put their lives on the line everyday for us so we can be safe. They help when we need help the most. Thank you to each and every one of you!

  16. chris in Molino on August 31st, 2015 3:14 am

    Great story, great people. Thoughtfulness of this kind is rare to hear of nowdays. The preacher was just saying yesterday how people are losing personal relationships and contact with all the gadgets, texting, smiley faces and whatnot that people use to explain how they feel.
    It makes me feel good to read this story. What a treat. Thank you Northescambia.

  17. Tina on August 31st, 2015 1:04 am

    Glad to see goodness in this world. He used to live in Barrineau Park…we bought our house from him 16 years ago. They were a very nice family.