Story highlights The officer knew the teen had a history of violent behavior

He also knew what to do next

(CNN) There's little doubt a scene like this is repeated multiple times a day all across America. But it's rarely captured on film.

That's probably the reason why a photo of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Tim Purdy talking things out with a potentially suicidal teen with autism has wracked up thousands of shares online.

The incident happened in May in North Carolina. The teen had wandered away from his home in the early morning hours.

Purdy knew that the teen had a history of violent behavior.

This photo of Officer Tim Purdy was shared more than 250,000 times.

"I was just thinking to myself, 'What are you going to do? What are you going to do? How are you going to handle that?' " he recalled.

Read More