Kevin Gilbert, Police Officer, Recognized for Service, Selflessness

Kevin Gilbert, a police officer in Randolph, Massachusetts, is being recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Scouring social media for ways in which he can help people in need, Gilbert has sent care packages to sick children in hospitals, bought toys for their siblings and even given parents vouchers to help pay for gas — all from his own pocket, the police department noted.

Gilbert also helped spread some festive cheer to a family in need last month when he bought toys for the children and gave them to the parents to put under the tree for Christmas.

In recognition of these efforts, Gilbert was awarded a commendation saying he is the "living embodiment of service and selflessness," WCVB noted.

"Officer Gilbert is a shining example of the community policing we do here in Randolph," Chief William Pace said in a statement. "He has only been with the department for three years and his impact in town has already been felt by many."

Gilbert's selfless acts have gone largely unnoticed until his commanding officer, Sgt. Douglas Morgan, witnessed an incident in which a single mother desperate to provide for her daughter was caught shoplifting food from a local pharmacy.

Gilbert went into the store and paid for enough food to last the family for several days out of his own pocket, the police statement said.

Moved by this, Morgan immediately wrote a letter of commendation to Pace.

Upon receiving the award, Gilbert said that, as a police officer it was one thing to fulfil his duty to make an arrest, but "by sending a letter and gift with a police patch to a sick child in the hospital, you can do the most with that," WCVB reported.

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