DEARBORN — A police officer’s generosity to a young man down on his luck became a social media sensation this last week. 

After talking with the man outside Capri Italian Bakery, Dearborn Police officer Raed Essa purchased a meal for him last Friday, September 11.

A customer was so impressed, he included a photo in a Facebook post that showed the officer in the bakery while giving him a social media shout-out for his random act of kindness. 

“I wanted to share this due to the amount of negativity towards police these days,” Rees Williams wrote in part. “These officers put their lives at risk everyday to protect us. I wish nothing but the best for the officer as I witnessed something truly amazing today at lunch that you don’t see very often.”

Piero Boccarossa’s family owns the bakery, located on Greenfield just north of Michigan Avenue.

“I guarantee it happens all the time with Dearborn Police and Fire Department,” said Boccarossa, whose family has owned the business for years. “They’re always helping people. Always.”

The act is also no surprise to Dearborn’s police chief, Ron Haddad, who praised Essa.

“Once I learned which officer it was, I wasn’t surprised,” Haddad said. “He’s a top-notch guy and he goes the extra mile on everything he does.”

The officer has been on the job in Dearborn for less than a year. He, along with other Arab American officers, recently joined Dearborn’s police department as part of the city’s attempt to diversify its force. 

Essa spent 20 years as a member of the Detroit Police Department. He is a Dearborn resident.

“Time and again I’ve witnessed our police officers here extend an act of kindness that certainly goes way beyond their job description,” said Haddad. “I encourage it and I’m very proud of him.”