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Police officers buy Xbox for child whose console was stolen in burglary

Dec 1, 2015

The season of giving is upon us, and a group of Memphis police officers went above and beyond to make sure a local family in need was taken care of.

Sunday night, officers from the Crump Station precinct were called to the scene of a burglary around 3:35 p.m. While on the scene, officers encountered an 11-year-old and his mother whose home had been burglarized while they were at church.

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Police said the thieves stole several of the mom’s items and the young man’s Xbox gaming system and all of his games. While talking to the boy, MPD realized that he didn’t have much and the gaming system was his prized possession.

Officers asked if he was going to ask Santa for a new one, and his reply was heartbreaking.

My mom works long hours and several jobs…she uses that money to just pay the bills; I am not gonna even ask,” the boy said, according to the MPD Facebook page.
The officers decided to take matters into their own hands. Between calls, Officers Jerry Graves and Antonio Martin went to a Midtown GameStop store to buy a new Xbox and three games.
The clerk learned what the officers were doing and split the bill with them, and GameStop management donated an extra controller.
The policemen went back to the house and asked the boy to look at the Xbox and see if it was his. The boy said “No, sir…mine was older.”
The officers told the 11-year-old they couldn’t find his stolen Xbox, but the one they brought over was his now. The boy, his mom and the police officers were brought to tears.

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The officer who were involved were: Officer Jerry Graves, Officer Antonio Martin, Officer Antwan Cooper and Officer Justin Bourland.

"My guys came in from their duties tonight knowing they made a difference in this young man's life, not by buying a new game, but by simply showing this random act of kindness,” Maj. Anthony Rudolph said. “I am sure this little guy will never forget their kind gesture. These officers are going home tonight knowing that they did a good thing."

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