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Woman Sees Police Officer Standing In The Pouring Rain, Then Realizes She's Protecting A Turtle

June 6, 2018

A Maryland police officer stood in the pouring rain to protect a turtle from being run over.

Credit: Facebook / Carolyn B. R. Hammett

Carolyn B. R. Hammett and her husband were driving near their home in Greenbelt, Maryland, when they spotted the officer standing in the middle of the road.

Hammett was confused at first, thinking the road must be flooded, but "as we got closer, we realized that she was standing over something."

Master Police Officer Sharnise Hawkins was helping a large snapping turtle cross the road.

"I couldn't believe that she was standing there guarding that turtle in all that rain," Hammett told The Dodo. "Not many people would do that, regardless of their occupation. She was serving and protecting in every sense of the word."

Hammett's husband hopped out of the car and shielded Officer Hawkins from the rain while the turtle finished its trek.

Credit: Facebook / Carolyn B. R. Hammett

"The officer thanked us and we thanked her and we all went on our way," Hammett added. "She was smiling a big broad smile the entire time and she never seemed to care that she was drenched completely through. She was delightful, inspirational, kind, all the things that you think a police officer should be."