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St. Augustine officer gives homeless 77-year-old enough money to buy a bike

"I knew I had to do something for him. Our commanding officer gave us all two $100.00 gift cards to hand out to people that were deserving of them and well I thought he was deserving." - St. Augustine police officer Eric Smith
Credit: SAPD

A St. Augustine police officer has proved that a simple act of kindness can go a long way.

Officer Eric Smith was working on Monday when 77-year-old Roscoe Johnson came into the St. Augustine Police station to report that his bicycle had been stolen. Johnson is homeless and relies on his bicycle as a primary means of transportation around the city due to an injury he sustained to his foot. 

"I knew I had to do something for him," Smith said."Our commanding officer gave us all two $100.00 gift cards to hand out to people that were deserving of them...and well I thought he was deserving."

The initiative is part of #904SecretSanta, which is now in its 4th year in the First Coast region.

Acting on behalf of two super secret donors, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Clay County Sheriff's Office, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and the St. Augustine Police Department are surprising 500 unsuspecting citizens with $100.00 VISA gift cards to help make their Christmas a little brighter.

"When we were given the cards I immediately thought of Mr. Johnson because I knew he had to go to the doctor," says Smith."I have a heart for the homeless and in St. Augustine unfortunately, there are many."

The officer says that the hardest part of this whole exchange was trying to track down Mr. Johnson. He had recently been turned away from a homeless shelter in that area and was sleeping in the streets.

As circumstance has it, Officer Smith spotted him later that afternoon walking down the sidewalk in St. Augustine. When he gave him the gift card, he says Johnson's face lit up.

"He generally has this very upbeat mood about him but this made his whole face brighten up. He shook my hand, laughed and thanked me. He was really happy," said Smith.

This is Roscoe Johnson, he's 77 years young. Mr. Johnson's bike was stolen yesterday and unable to get far on foot, in fact he needs to get to his foot doctor. Ofc. Eric Smith surprised Mr. Johnson...

He then offered to give Johnson a ride to Walmart so that he could buy a bike which he did. He also bought a lock this time of course.

Officer Smith says that he was just happy for the chance to do something good. 

"His life is really down right now, and I know he's a good guy. I hope this helps him out a little bit," he says.

See below to check out some of the other wonderful #904SecretSanta moments from today.

904SecretSanta - Adrienne told Officers that this has really been a tough year for her. Between personal struggles, medical issues, and on top of all of that, being involved in a traffic crash,...
904SecretSanta - Dep. Mangold found James at Memorial Emergency. With the cost of medical care, he was very thankful for this gift.
904SecretSanta - This mother of 3 has a new born and has been struggling this year. This gift will help her provide Christmas for her children.
904SecretSanta - Chris, her husband, and her dog have been homeless and living in their truck for a month. She will use the card to provide food for the three of them and vet care for their dog.

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