Earlier this week, Faithwire reported the story of a Texas teen who almost lost his bakery job for offering to pay for a police officer’s dessert. After the news of Zack Randolph’s act of kindness spread on social media, the Katy Police Department reached out to commend the 18-year-old for his generosity.
On Wednesday, police officers in Katy, Texas, honored Randolph at their headquarters, Fox News reported. The police department posted a photo on Facebook of Randolph with three officers, applauding the young man’s “selfless deed.”
“It was our pleasure to finally meet the young man from Great American Cookies, who did a selfless deed despite what others may have thought,” read the post. “Sergeant McClure and the rest of the Katy Police Department would like to say thank you for supporting law enforcement and going the extra step to show your appreciation.”
“He’s just a really nice guy and on top of that he has a badge,” Randolph told KRIV-TV of the officer he treated while working at the Great American Cookies outpost at Katy Mills Mall. “That’s enough for me to buy him something. That’s the least I can do.”
But after customers complained, Randolph, who used his own money to pay for the $2.75 cheesecake brownie, received a one-week suspension from his job. Even after this happened, the teen had no regrets.
“A lot of people I know my age don’t support police officers,” he told KRIV. “I don’t think it’s fair.”
The franchise owner later issued a statement to the Houston Chronicle in which he admitted that it was a mistake to punish Randolph his the generous act.
In an email to the Chronicle, David Kaiser, executive vice president of Great American Cookies, assured that the company “proudly supports law enforcement.”
“Great American Cookies proudly supports Law Enforcement, First Responders and all who serve our country,” he said in an email. “Though our stores are independently managed and operated, when the situation first arose, we reached out to the franchisee to ensure that the situation was addressed and handled appropriately.”