NC police officer's compassion helps student in need - NBC12 - WWBT - Richmond, VA News On Your Side

"There’s more to policing than making arrests and enforcing the law. Sometimes taking those extra little steps makes the biggest difference in someone’s life."

That was the message from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police in a Facebook post on their page Friday morning. 

According to the department, Officer Tim Purdy responded to a situation that involved a young autistic student who was left at the campus and may have been suicidal.

"Due to the young man’s neuro-developmental disorder, he also had a history of displaying violent behavior," the post read.

Once on scene, the officer sat with the young man, talking with him and even helping him laugh.

"Officer Purdy established trust and a relationship that allowed officers to get this young man the help that he so desperately needed," the department said in their post that has been shared thousands of times on social media.

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