Police officer's kind gesture scores with kids

CONCORD, N.C. -- A Concord police officer is being recognized as an unsung hero for his act of kindness this past Sunday.

While Officer Christian Coe was patrolling one of his normal neighborhoods he noticed a kid shooting hoops in the front yard. However, instead of playing with a basketball, the child was shooting with a soccer ball.

For kids, as long as its round and has some air, its usually game on.

"These kids are out here all the time," said Tiffane Maltba.

Sunday, when AJ was shooting a soccer ball into the wrong type of net, a Concord police officer stopped and blew the whistle.

"He stopped and reversed, so we all that we were in trouble," said Xavier Howard.

To the children's surprise, they weren't in trouble. In fact, they were just being kids, and for that reason Officer Coe gave them a small token of his appreciation.

"My heart dropped," said Howard.

From the back seat of his patrol car, Coe pulled out a brand new basketball for the kids to play with.

"He gives me a basketball, and 'we're like, wow, cool,'" said Carlee Maltba.

After the officer gave them the ball, they took an obligatory selfie and posted it to Twitter and then Facebook.

"There's so much bad publicity with police officers, and I was happy to see something positive going on," said Tiffane.

Tuesday, the kids played a little 3-on-3 with their new basketball. It was one of the longest lasting rivalries: boys versus girls. To make it even teams, I got in on the action. But needless to say the kids were out of my league. The girls ended up winning by 1.

"Thanks Officer Christian!" screamed the kids as they held onto their new ball.

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