SMYRNA, Ga. — A Smyrna woman who lost her home to a fire found a moving way to honor an officer who prayed with her and offered comfort.
Shirley Myers lost her home on Green Forest Parkway to a fire in September. As flames and smoke shot out of her home, an officer took her hand, bowed his head and prayed with her.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The image of Myers and the officer quickly went viral.
In a post on Facebook, Smyrna police identified the officer comforting the woman and praying with her as Officer T. Melvin. Police said Melvin served as a Marine before joining the Smyrna Police Department.
TRENDING STORIES:
Beloved school administrator dies suddenly at school at just 38 years old
R & B singer arrested after shooting friend in head at Atlanta hotel, police say
17-year-old member of ‘Sex Murder Money’ gang charged with murder, police say
“Officer Melvin and many other officers routinely comfort, pray, and protect those that we serve on a daily basis,” the police station wrote. “I am happy we were able to capture this photo of Officer T. Melvin as I am certain he didn’t know he was being photographed. "
Myers was not identified at the time the photo was taken, but Smyrna Police identified her Thursday after Myers visited the police station to offer Melvin a unique gift.
“Mrs. Myers son was kind enough to paint a picture of that memorable photo, and she presented it to Officer Melvin,” Smyrna Police wrote on Facebook Thursday. “We are honored to add it to the pictures here at the department.”
Family members set up a GoFundMe to help Myers and released a statement from her.
“I thank God that throughout this horrible situation nobody was hurt. None of the firefighters were hurt battling this fire, no police were injured, and I was able to get out safely from the car,” Myers wrote. “Everything else is materialistic. It can be replaced. God was looking out for us.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]