The story of an Alabama woman who was caught stealing food at a local Dollar General is making its rounds online after a police officer decided not to press charges.
Helen Johnson, 47, was a Dollar General in Alabama’s Tarrant area when she discovered she didn’t have enough money to buy a carton of eggs to feed her family. When she realized she was 50 cents plus tax short, she stuffed five eggs in her jacket without paying.
The eggs would eventually break leading employees to find she had stolen them.
“I’m not a good thief at all,” Johnson told AL.com.
When Tarrant police Officer William Stacy arrived at the location after responding to a call, he told her not to worry because the store would not press charges.
Instead of Stacy arresting Johnson, he brought her a carton of eggs.
“She started crying, she got very emotional and was very apologetic,” Stacy told the publication. “She tried to give me the money she had on her, $1.25.”
Johnson said she could not believe what was happening. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, thank you Jesus for this man,”’ she said. “He is my hero.”
A witness to the act of kindness recorded the exchange and posted it online. Since then, scores of people have called Tarrant police asking how they could help Johnson. She has since amassed numerous donations.
“The last time I saw my house this full, I was 12 years old and staying with my grandmother,” said the mother and grandmother. “I’ve been crying all day.”
She says the exchange between herself and Officer Stacy will remain in her heart forever.
“My heart,” she said, “is wide open right now.”
Those who would like to donate to Johnson can visit “People’s First Federal Credit Union,” reads the report. “Checks should be made payable to the Tarrant Police Charity Fund c/o the Johnson Family. Checks can be mailed to the bank at 1140 Ford Avenue, Tarrant, Alabama 35217.”
