On Thursday, June 23 2016, at 7:20 a.m., Officer Bork, who was just completing her last half shift in Car 4, stopped at Starbucks at Assembly Row. Today, June 29, 2016, the department received a commendation request via email from, Blair Connelly, a resident of Melrose. Ms. Connelly was so impressed by the actions of Officer Bork that she wrote the following and sent it to us:

This morning as I walked into Starbucks there was a homeless man sitting outside the store. He was not begging or harassing anyone, but no-one was paying attention to him or making eye contact with him, including myself. Behind me walked up a female office (sic) and asked him if he was hungry, asked him to come in and pick out a few items to eat, and she purchased them for him with her own money and brought them out to him. She asked him if he was cold (he was dressed light) and asked him where he sleeps at night. She offered him the names of some nearby shelters. She treated him like a normal human being and showed extreme compassion. I did acknowledge her kind deed while we were in the store, but I did not want this incident to go unnoticed by her superiors. I am grateful there is a person like her on your force, and you should be too. I could not get her badge number, but did get her plate number (784). I hope you know what a special young woman you have. She has inspired me today, I will never forget her simple gesture of kindness. She is to be commended today.

Thank you, Christine, for your inspiring action to help someone less fortunate. You exemplify what it means to be a police officer, and we are proud to call you one of our own.

— David Fallon, Chief of Police