FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, MI-- Two Fruitport Township Police Department officers are being applauded for their above-and-beyond efforts involving a simple traffic stop that resulted in something heartwarming, said Public Safety Director Ken Doctor.

Officers James Hodges and Jason Pavlige didn't make it known -- but Doctor later found out -- that they had gone to extraordinary measures to protect a child following a recent traffic stop.

A citizen in February had called to report a vehicle traveling in the area with a small child inside who was not restrained in a car seat. The officers located the vehicle and spoke to the family, Doctor said.

"Through roadside questioning, it was determined that the family did not have a car seat for the infant and did not have money to purchase one," Doctor said in a written statement. "Several viable options were discussed regarding obtaining a car seat."

Doctor said when the officers learned that the family had no money to buy a car seat, they gathered their own money and called Wal-Mart on Sherman Boulevard to inquire about buying one. The officers then purchased the car seat for the family with their own money, Doctor said.

Officer Pavlige

That Wal-Mart employee then alerted Doctor to the kind act by the officers.

In a letter to the officers, Doctor said: "This certainly goes above and beyond what is expected of you in serving our community. It reflects the care and compassion of the officers serving Fruitport Township. Sincere thanks for representing our department so well and providing, great service to the community. Keep up the good work."

This isn't the first time Pavlige has been recognized by his own department. He received a life-saving award back in 2009. Pavlige has been with the department for about 10 years; Hodges, less than a year, Doctor said.

Heather Lynn Peters covers police and fire, and writes a statewide food column, The Spunky Kitchen, for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at hpeters@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @HLPNEWS.