Detroit cop wins over scared boy with gentle gesture

What started with a little boy's fear of a police officer ended with hugs and ice cream — and a choked-up veteran cop on bended knee, right hand raised as he promised the child he'd never hurt him.

The tender, spontaneous moment between an African-American businessman, his 4-year-old son and a Detroit officer taught the boy a lesson, left the cop in tears, and highlighted how police say they're struggling to alter a negative image, particularly in the black community.

Al Branch, 37, of Detroit said he was pushing his son Bryce on the swing at the playground near the downtown RiverWalk recently when the boy spotted Officer Danon Bell walking the beat. As the officer approached, Bryce cowered.

"He said, 'Is he gonna kill us?' " said Branch, owner of Spy Guy, a Dearborn surveillance camera shop. "I said, 'No, son, he's not going to kill us. That's a good police officer ... you want to meet him?' "

Bryce didn't budge.

"He didn't want to go over there," his father said. "He really was afraid this officer was going to hurt him."

Bell, a 16-year police veteran, said he often sees people's apprehension — and, sometimes, contempt.

"I'm used to walking past people — teenagers and adults — who say things like 'Watch out; that cop will shoot you,' " said Bell, who is black. "That's how things are now.

"But to hear a 4-year-old kid say he's scared I'm going to kill him ... , " Bell paused. "That's hard to take."

The tension between African-Americans and police has been well-documented. Highly publicized officer-involved deaths have sparked riots and protests nationwide, with some openly calling for retaliation against police. Recent slayings of police officers have added to the chasm.

Several polls indicate blacks mistrust police more than whites, including an April Pew Research study in which 71 percent of white respondents expressed a great deal or fair amount of confidence in local police to treat blacks and whites equally, compared with 36 percent of the blacks polled.

'He was definitely afraid'

Asked why he was afraid, Bryce giggled, lowered his head and muttered, "I don't know." His father said he also is unsure.

"I sure didn't teach it to him," Branch said. "I asked him, but he can't really say why he was afraid. Maybe he saw something on TV; there's a lot on the news about bad cops these days. Or maybe it's just because (Bell) had a gun. But he was definitely afraid."

Branch said he had a difficult time convincing the boy to leave the playground and approach the officer. Eventually, Bryce agreed, and his father introduced him to Bell, who is assigned to the Downtown Services Section.

"I told the officer what he said," Branch said. "And the officer was very, very emotional ... he was pretty much in tears."

Bell, a 50-year-old married father of four, said he was disheartened to hear Bryce feared him. Tears welled in his eyes as he recalled the Aug. 24 incident.

"The little boy hugged his dad's legs real tight and he asked his father, 'is he going to shoot me?' And my heart ... ," Bell couldn't finish the sentence and he took several seconds to compose himself.

"His dad told him, 'No, he's a good guy,' " Bell continued. " 'He's here to help you, look out for you.' His dad was fantastic. He kind of pushed the boy out to come talk to me."

As the boy inched toward him, Bell bent to one knee, raised his right hand and made a promise.

"I just told him I would never hurt him," Bell said. "That any time he would ever need me, I would always be here to protect him; that despite what he's heard and what he's seen, that we are the good guys.

"So he starts smiling ... after everything was over, he gave me the biggest hug. I asked his dad if it was OK if I bought him ice cream."

Branch gave his permission, Bell handed him $2 to buy a vanilla cone, and then left to resume his beat. Bryce said good-bye to his new friend.

'I'm not scared no more'

Branch posted a YouTube video showing a photograph of Bell making his pledge while he explains what happened.

"I thought that was something big coming from a police officer in light of what's going on in the world with police brutality," Branch says on the 1-minute and 40-second video, which recently began making the rounds on social media. "I just like the fact that he was just reassuring my son that he's there to uphold the law and to protect and serve my son."

Capt. Conway Petty, commanding officer of the Downtown Services Section, said he was proud of Bell.

"There's been so much conflict between the police and citizens across the country ... for (Bell) to take the time to reach out to that kid, that's something that will impact him for the rest of his life," Petty said.

Everyone involved in the incident said they were moved by it.

"That little boy ... I hope he does great things when he grows up," Bell said, wiping his eyes. "Whether he knows it or not, he's made a big difference in my life."

Branch said he teaches all six of his children to respect police.

"A lot of teens nowadays are automatically on the defensive whenever they talk to an officer," Branch said. "I tell my kids if they ever get pulled over, just be calm and respectful, and nothing bad is going to happen. Sure, there are some bad cops out there, but there's bad in every profession."

Bryce, a SpongeBob SquarePants fan who is about to start prekindergarten classes, said the encounter with Bell has eased his fears. "I was kind of scared, a little bit. I'm not scared no more."