A Providence police officer, a story of compassion
6:27 PM Mon, Feb 16, 2009 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo 7 to 7 News BlogTaking the news pulse of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, by Providence Journal and projo.com staff, from 7 to 7, every business day |
|
Get the 7 to 7 on your mobile at www.projo.com. Twitter: projo | RSS | Email alerts
« Update: 3 hurt in Providence rooming house fire |
Main
| Charlestown mailbox find draws haz-mat crews »
By Amanda Milkovits PROVIDENCE -- Her car was rumbling as she drove home Sunday morning. When Stefanie Taylor pulled into her driveway in Upper South Providence, it burst into flames. She did. Just the day before, Taylor had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The neurosurgeon at Rhode Island Hospital told her it was the reason for her blinding headaches, and scheduled surgery. The 38-year-old mother of three kept thinking she was lucky the tumor was found before it killed her. Now her pastor at the Gospel Tabernacle Outreach Ministries, two miles away in Elmhurst, was going to have the congregation pray for her. "She said, 'My family would love a ride to church,'" Officer James Carr said yesterday. "I said, 'What time's Mass?' " A self-described "God-fearing man," he was back an hour later to pick up the family. They squeezed into his cruiser. As they walked up the steps of the brick church, they could hear the singing: "Everything's Going to Be All Right." Out on the streets, the police calls picked up. Carr hurried along a report of a car crash on Broad Street a half-hour before the church service was to end, and made it back on time to give the family a ride home. Yesterday, Taylor still was marveling at Carr's compassion. "He took the initiative and said, 'I'm going to do this for you,' " she said. "And I said, 'I'm going to church, and nothing's going to stop me.' " 
CommentsLeave a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
Tags 
New comments
New photos
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
Our world needs more people like Officer James Carr. Personal acts kindness and compassion such as this touch the human heart deeply, inspire us and offer hope for mankind. A sense of community is a precious resource, not to be underestimated at any point in time.
Let us hope and pray that Stephanie Taylor makes a speedy recovery and that we can all be part of a community that reaches out to one another in times of need and instances such as this.
Report Abuse
Mr Thomas Oats (Commander??)
If I may Tommy I grew up knowing you, So as you know that was a long time ago!! I am taking this time to leave a message not only because I grew up knowing you, but because I know the type of person you are, This officer should be publicly commended for what he did for this women and her family!! Think about it Tommy how many times you helped the kids in town. I know this because I am one of them! And it was the respect you had for me that made me respect the person you are!
Officer Carr what you did was definetly beyond the call of duty! THANKYOU
ps. I'M FROM NEW YORK.
Report Abuse
Good job Jimmy! People should probably know that these things happen everyday. It just happened that this woman, who has an incredible fight ahead of her, took the time out of her day to express her thoughts about the police. I wish her good health.
Report Abuse
Wait where are all the responses to this story? whenever a police officer does something that has negative press in their eyes they are quick to judge and leave nasty comments that have no basis of knowledge of the police profession. However when this officer does something that is a positive thing for the community no one has anything to say???
Nice job Officer Carr keep up the good work brother!
Report Abuse
Friends,
Once in a while the Providence Police Dept. winds up in the news because someone there does something hamheaded or worse.
But this is more a true story of the men and women who serve in the department. Loving compassion, devotion to the residents and those visiting and passing through, extreme courage and sacrifice daily, and sadly, occasionally, 3 times in recent years, the extreme price is paid to serve Providence's residents and visitors.
Pride in Providence is a motto or slogan used for the past few years on the department's vehicles. Semper Vigilans is the latin motto of the department for generations. Pride in Providence and "Always Vigilant" have actually always been the hallmark of the Providence Police. To Ptlm. Carr, Thanks for rendering this service to people in need. You are participating in a great tradition, but then, you knew that!
Report Abuse
what a pleasure to finally read something good...officer carr has restored my faith in humanity.it is nice to know there are still people left who have compassion and a heart.stephanie taylor and her family will be in my prayers,andto you officer carr "god bless you"
Report Abuse