The following story appeared in an edition of the Indianapolis Star. The title read: "Small gesture on busy street alters view of police."

While walking back to the office after lunch, I noticed two burly Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers outside Circle Centre mall. Between them, sprawled on the hood of one of the patrol cars, his arms at his sides, was a shabbily dressed man in his late 50s. He was weak and shivering; next to him on the asphalt appeared to be his worldly possessions.

The older of the two officers was stooped over in front of the man. His partner stood watching intently. My initial take was that the older officer was frisking the man. Five steps closer, my cynicism turned to amazement. The officer wasn't patting the man down; he was bent over tying the man's boot laces because the [homeless man] was in such bad shape he couldn't do it himself. As the officer put one dirty boot on his own pant leg and then another, his young partner softly talked to the man, trying to determine what kind of help he needed.

At a time when a relative handful of cowboy cops often dominate the news and public opinion, officers of courage and character perform quiet, unnoticed acts of selflessness.