CORNWALL, Ontario – A collection of Cornwall police officers went above and beyond the call of duty on the weekend – helping an elderly couple buy back a wedding ring that was pawned to buy groceries.

Coun. Andre Rivette updated city council on the story Monday night, which goes something like this:

City cops were attending what they believed was a domestic call at a Cornwall home involving an elderly couple who were in the midst of an argument.

Upon visiting the home police discovered that an elderly woman was suffering from dementia. They further determined that the husband had recently pawned his wedding ring in an effort to purchase groceries.

The couple had been married 54 years and the husband admitted he was finding it difficult to not only care for his wife, but to put food on the table.

Police quickly began canvassing among themselves and raised $150 to purchase groceries for the couple, as well as $130 to buy the ring back from a local pawn shop.

Rivette’s story was met with an ovation from those in the council chambers.

“This really shows that our officers have a heart,” he said.

The officers who helped will receive a commendation from the police services board soon for their efforts.

The Alzheimer’s Society and Community Care Access Centre are now involved in the case.

The members of the service involved in helping the couple include constables Kim Norman, Cody Casselman, Michel Riel, Rodney DeGray, Casey MacGregor, James Lemoyre, sergeants Patrick Paquette, Dan Doyon and George Knezevic as well as civilians Jody Sheard, Josee Lalonde, Claire Denis, Jenna Legault and Tasha Marcotte.