A simple box of doughnuts for a Smyrna cop tapped into a national debate about race and police overnight and through Thursday.

When the officer received an order from the Krispy Kreme on South Cobb Drive Wednesday the phrase "Black Lives Matter" was written on the box.

“While it is clear this behavior was egregious in nature, Krispy Kreme did take responsibility for the incident,” Louis Defense, Smyrna Police Department spokesman, said in a statement.

The department said it received a letter from the North Carolina-based corporation apologizing for the incident.

The pro-police blog Blue Lives Matter first posted a photo of the box, condemning the action along with the Black Lives Matter movement.

“For those who are not aware, this is extremely disrespectful to law enforcement,” read the blog.

Krispy Kreme staff at the store met with Smyrna police to hash out the issue.

“We moved quickly to investigate the matter and take appropriate action,” said corporate spokeswoman Sarah Roof. “ As a company, we value both our customers and employees and respect all viewpoints. The experience did not live up to these high standards we set for ourselves.”

She said the company will use this opportunity to “train the staff at all of our U.S. shops to reinforce mutual respect between employees and customers.”

Krispy Kreme said its policy is to not disclose the specific actions taken in disciplinary investigations.

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8/26/17 - Atlanta, GA - Georgia leaders, including Gov. Nathan Deal, Sandra Deal, members of the King family, and Rep. Calvin Smyre,  were on hand for unveiling of the first statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday at the statehouse grounds, more than three years after Gov. Nathan Deal first announced the project.  During the hour-long ceremony leading to the unveiling of the statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol on Monday, many speakers, including Gov. Nathan Deal, spoke of King's biography. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of King's famed "I Have Dream" speech. BOB ANDRES  /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Credit: Bob Andres