State Police Trooper Luke Bonin lunch with panhandler

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Luke Bonin had no idea a passerby snapped his photo sharing lunch with a panhandler until it was shared on Facebook.

(Masachusetts State Police Facebook)

FALL RIVER -- A motorist driving in Fall River was able to catch a simple gesture of kindness between a state trooper and a woman looking for help. The photo shows the trooper sitting on the back of his cruiser, chatting with the woman while she ate a lunch he bought.

Massachusetts State Police Tuesday said a passerby snapped the of the trooper and a woman who appeared to be panhandling on Davol Street in Fall River. The person who took the photo then shared it via Facebook, where it didn't take long to come to the attention of the trooper's superiors.

"The citizen was struck by what he saw, snapped the photo, and posted it to a Facebook group in Fall River," the posting on a State Police Facebook page states. The original photo was captioned: " And they say chivalry is dead ,,, Much respect."

"We are grateful to that person, who thought to take the photo and share it," the State Police page states.

The photo is of Trooper Luke Bonin, who is assigned to the State Police Dartmouth Barracks. Bonin had just left court when he passed the woman on the side of the road, "who appeared down on her luck," the post states.

"She was holding a sign and asking for help from anyone who would pay attention," it states. "Trooper Bonin continued to drive on - directly to a local establishment, where he ordered two meals."

When Bonin returned to the woman, she at first thought he was told to the leave the area.

"But Trooper Bonin told her, 'I'm not here to kick you out'," the post states. "He then extended the two meals and told her to pick one."

The two then sat and had a meal and conversation together, the post states. Trooper Bonin was "a bit surprised" when he was contacted about the photo.

"He wasn't seeking or expecting any publicity for it," the State Police Facebook page states. "But we pressed him, and he very reluctantly told us how he ended up sitting on his cruiser's bumper that day sharing lunch with a stranger.

"Yes, Trooper Bonin, we know you do not want or expect publicity. We know you didn't want to be noticed, but you were, and the job is proud of you,' the post states. "We commend you for your selfless act, and for 'doing the right thing' for someone less fortunate than most people.

"We have extraordinary troopers on the Massachusetts State Police who conduct themselves honorably, and perform selfless acts, every day," the post states. "Most times, it goes unnoticed. But not this day."