Local officer takes time out with autistic boy and it doesn’t go unnoticed

A good deed by a local officer didn’t go unnoticed by a boy’s family.

Bristol Officer Michael Kelly took some time out of his day to play some hoops with a boy in town. The family caught it on camera and sent it into the department with some glowing words for the officer.

“This is Officer Mike Kelly of the Bristol Police Department playing basketball with my son. My son is high functioning autistic and he has a really hard time joining in with other kids. He really doesn’t have the social skills and it kills me to watch because I know how desperately he wants to fit in. He was shooting hoops at the park today and Officer Kelly walked over to him and introduced himself and shot some hoops with him. To have Mike Kelly pay him some attention like this, even for just a few minutes meant the world to him. And to me.”

The letter went on to say how important and special the town finds the Bristol officers and how much the moment with Officer Kelly meant.

“As a police Officer myself for over 18 years and as someone who has trained thousands of cops, I can tell you that THIS is what makes a good cop. It’s not about how many arrests you get or how tough you think you are. It’s how you treat people. And Mike Kelly made a huge difference in my son’s day today.”

The heartwarming letter concluded with some humorous advice for the officer.

“Thank you Mike for your kindness. That said, you really need to work on your jump shot”