In a time of grief, a Bristol Borough resident reached out to the Police Department to share his thanks for how a  police officer took great care in helping him and his family after his mother passed away earlier this month.

The hand -written letter, passed on to the police department, spoke volumes about parts of the job often not talked about or shared in public. In this case, a son’s gratitude about Sergeant Alan Hankinson’s professionalism when responding to a family member’s death was the motivation for sharing the note,

The letter, read aloud by now Chief of Police Joe Moors that  Monday night, was penned by Kevin McCarthy, of Bristol.

I thought it  would appropriate to read the missive aloud so the public and our new officers could hear it, Moors made a point of saying.

It reads:

With all the hate and negative news police officers receive, I would like to personally thank one. On Friday, February 4, my Mom passed away at home and Sgt Hankinson responded to the call. When he arrived, he showed nothing, but complete compassion to myself and my mother. He went above and beyond, to call the funeral home and her family physician to notify them of her passing. He showed kindness and empathy to the family and friends that were present. Before leaving, Hankinson said, ‘if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call.’

I will always remember his kindness, thank you again, Sgt Hankinson, for your compassionate nature.

This is not the first time I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback about Sgt Hankinson. A lot of people respect him, and a lot of people know he does a helluva job for this borough, said Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe.

This isn’t the first time during Hankinson’s police career he’s demonstrated a sense of community and commitment to serve in a public space, in his more than 28 years with the department.

In 2018, he was honored by the Borough, for helping rescue an intoxicated woman who fell into the Delaware River, and held on to her in the swift current, until additional first responders came to assist with completing the water rescue.

In 2014, Hankinson assisted a woman with a car full of kids that ran out of gas on Mill Street. He filled up a gas can, and paid for it too,  saving the day for the ever grateful woman, which this reporter covered in a story for another publication.

Moors pointed to Hankinson’s dedication to the community and his leadership on the street throughout the years they have worked together.

“Sgt Hankinson is a dedicated compassionate leader and role model officer in our department. Its been an honor and privilege not only to be his friend but to work with him for nearly 30 years. He is an asset to our community and our police department,” he said.

And on the night two new police officers were introduced, they were shown the kind of cops they’ll need to be in order to be successful in their careers in this small community of Bristol.

Caring about the community you serve goes a long way, when it comes, to policing.

Just ask Mr. McCarthy, he knows

You can view the video of Monday’s Council Meeting, on You Tube. Comments covered in this story begin at about the 5:55 mark.