'Selfless' Act by MA State Trooper, Local Grad for Panhandler

FALL RIVER, MA — The panhandler appeared to know the drill when the State Trooper rolled up to the side of the road in Fall River.

She put down her sign asking for help and told Trooper Luke Bonin that she knew she shouldn't be there.

She received an unexpected response.

"I'm not here to kick you out," Bonin told the woman, according to police. He pulled out two meals he purchased down the road; the pair ate and talked for a while, police said.

A bystander snapped a photo of the scene and posted it to Facebook, where Bonin's superiors saw it.

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

"(Bonin) was a bit surprised that someone had taken his photo, stating that he wasn’t seeking or expecting any publicity for it," police said. "We commend you for your selfless act, and for doing the right thing for someone less fortunate than most people."

Bonin, an Attleboro High School graduate, is assigned to the State Police barracks in Dartmouth.

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