Anonymous Good Deed In Fallen Lacey Cop's Honor

Forked River resident Shannon Moore took her family to Fuji Japanese Restaurant on Monday. It was Jan. 21, the anniversary of when Ocean County detective and Forked River resident John Scott Stevens, 44, died from injuries he suffered in a car accident while working an undercover assignment, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Moore's waitress arrived with the bill. Their meal was covered, and somebody left a note with Stevens' badge number.

"Dinner was on our family this evening," the note said. "We do this every year in honor of a life well lived. Have a drink in memory of Scott. #3514."

Moore's husband got up to see who may have covered the bill. But by then, they were gone, she wrote on the Lacey Township Chatter Facebook page. Moore's family held a toast to Scott and the anonymous good samaritan at the Forked River restaurant.

"I would love it if you could contact me because we would be honored to make a donation in honor of Scott and let you know how much we appreciate what you did," Moore wrote. "We must give back!"

Moore's post has gone locally viral. The message in the Facebook group has reached 896 likes, 851 "loves" and 153 shares as of Thursday morning.

The stranger's good deeds continued a period of good will around the anniversary of Stevens' death. The American Red Cross also held a blood drive in his honor Sunday in Forked River.

"This was something very special you did for someone you love," Moore said of the anonymous stranger.

Photo provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office