Post Falls officer’s kindness resonates on social media

Post Falls police Officer Pat Eismann often deals with shoplifters in the course of his job, so when a call came in from Wal-Mart on Mullan Avenue the Friday before Easter, it seemed routine.

It turned out the shoplifter sitting in the store’s office was unlike any he’d encountered before. And how he handled the unusual situation has earned Eismann accolades from the community, his colleagues and on social media.

“The shoplifter was a woman with four small children from probably 1 to maybe 9 years old,” Eismann said last week.

“I was not happy with the children being put in that position,” he said. “I was very impassioned about it.”

He reprimanded the woman, and the children watched as Eismann cited their crying mother with petty theft. She accepted responsibility and “was very honest and forthright,” Eismann said.

He then realized the woman had stolen food for her children, less than $20 worth.

The situation moved the veteran officer.

“She hadn’t taken selfish items like makeup,” the officer said. “The children really resonated with me; I decided I wanted to do something good for them.”

He asked the woman if he could buy the three oldest children Easter baskets, and she said yes. He also gave her phone numbers for organizations that could provide more lasting help for the family.

A few days later, the Post Falls Police Department received an email from the woman. Here’s part of what she wrote:

“This police officer has made me believe in the system again. His harsh words that I deserved also opened my eyes to the wrong thing I did and showed me what I could of done differently. My children and I are truly grateful. I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful act of kindness this officer went out of his way to show my children and I and how truly grateful we are.”

The Post Falls Police Department posted the entire note on its Facebook page, where it generated more than 300 comments – the majority of which praised Eismann and his good deed – and has been shared more than 2,700 times.

Sgt. Mark Brantl, who’s worked with Eismann all of his 15 years at the Post Falls Police Department, said what Eismann did is not unusual.

“Many of us here have kids, and anytime anything happens that involves kids, it can be very traumatic and we try to help them,” Brantl said. “But yes, buying children Easter baskets is a little above and beyond the norm.”

Brantl said officers often buy sleeping bags for homeless people or a tank of gas for someone who’s stranded because it’s the right thing to do.

“I’ve known Eismann all his career; it’s nice for him to get recognized for what he did,” Brantl said.

Eismann shrugs off the personal recognition but is glad the story is being shared.

“Police officers do a lot of good things every day,” he said. “We just don’t always hear about it.”