A white sheriff’s deputy dining at a Nashville Cracker Barrel had his bill paid by two black women who left the officer a touching note of support.
Wednesday’s random act of kindness is being heralded as racially charged protests and public backlash toward police have gripped the country for more than three weeks since George Floyd’s death.
Sumner County Sheriff's Deputy Jody McDowell, who was at the establishment having breakfast, thanked the anonymous pair on Facebook and shared a photograph of the note they left.
“BLM, but so does yours!" the short note said, referring to the Black Lives Matter movement at the forefront of recent protests. “Thank you for your service. Breakfast paid.”
Credit: Courtesy Jody McDowell
Credit: Courtesy Jody McDowell
The women left the restaurant before anyone could talk to them.
McDowell was seated at a table near the women. He said he overheard them say they were taking a flight back to Baltimore. Because he missed the chance to thank them at the restaurant, he did so on social media.
“I want to thank the two sweet black ladies who paid for my breakfast this morning,” he wrote. “While waiting for a transport to be completed, I decided to have breakfast at a Cracker Barrel near the Nashville airport.”
One of the store’s employees said the moment reflected the values of the company.
"At Cracker Barrel, we believe in treating everyone who walks through our doors as family, and we work hard to foster a welcoming environment for our guests and employees," Janella Escobar told CNN, confirming the story. "It makes us especially proud to see when guests take it upon themselves to extend our mission of "pleasing people" and commit random acts of kindness towards each other, as these two women did yesterday."
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