HOUSTON, Texas -- A candid picture of an Houston Police Department cop is warming hearts all over Houston. It shows the officer washing a homeless man’s feet.
The officer is Sgt. Steve Wick with HPD’s Homeless Outreach Team.
The homeless man’s name is Quintus. He works on the streets selling newspapers.
The day the picture was taken, officers said Quintus had soiled himself. While cleaning him up, Wick and Officer Colin Mansfield discovered his toenails were “really, really long.”
The officers cleaned his feet, cut his toenails and then gave him a place to shower.
“To get the toenails cut, it will make your life of walking around so much better,” Wick said. “He couldn't do it for himself. He's got glaucoma and he's blind.”
The Homeless Outreach Team takes pictures to document people’s progress over time.
They had no idea the picture was shared on the Houston Police Officers’ Union Facebook page. Dozens of people have commented, showing gratitude for the officers’ hearts for service.
“It’s just helping your fellow man. Reaching out to your community. I think this is how we serve the community best,” said Colin Mansfield, the officer who took the picture.
Officer Mansfield has been working with Quintus ever since.
The Homeless Outreach team is trying to get him medical help for his eyes, as well as a permanent home.
“That’s what my team does. We go out there and try to help anybody to wants help. We help them try to get off the street,” said Sgt. Wick.
Our officer washing the feet of a homeless man downtown. Don't be fooled, this is who we are, what we stand for. pic.twitter.com/ZN65HFyUiu
— HPOU (@HPOUTX) July 19, 2016
