Deputy Saves Christmas After Finding Abandoned Packages On The Road

December 26, 2025

Christmas came just in time for several families in Virginia thanks to a sheriff’s deputy who refused to let abandoned packages go undelivered.

Terrell Coles / Credit: WTRV

Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Sgt. Terrell Coles was on patrol near the town of McKenney last week when he noticed something unusual along the side of the road. Sitting near a group of mailboxes were multiple packages that clearly hadn’t made it to their final destination.

After taking a closer look, Coles realized the addresses on the packages didn’t match the mailbox numbers nearby.

Coles contacted FedEx and spoke with a manager who said someone would come retrieve the packages. But after waiting several days — and keeping the packages secure in the back of his patrol car — no one ever showed up.

That’s when Coles decided to take matters into his own hands.

"At that point I took of my Sheriff's Office hat and put on my Santa hat," he told WTRV.

The deputy began delivering the packages himself. One of the first stops was the home of Olivia Davis, who was stunned to see her missing delivery finally arrive.

"I had actually given up on the package," Davis said.

Coles said stepping in felt like the right thing to do — especially during the holidays.

"I know how I would feel if I ordered something and it didn't get here on time," he said. "One thing about police work, is you wear many different hats. And this is just a another hat."

For the families who thought their deliveries were lost for good, the deputy’s unexpected visit made the season a little brighter — and proved that sometimes Santa shows up in a patrol car.