On a recent neighborhood patrol, an Arizona Police officer noticed a wind-damaged American flag on the ground outside of a house and took it upon herself to ensure it was placed in a respectful place.
Unbeknownst to the officer, Shelly Montes of the Peoria Police Department, the gesture was caught on the next-door neighbor’s Ring camera as she collected the fallen flag, rolled it up, and neatly placed it on a chair outside the house.
“It’s something I do quite often on patrol,” she told the news outlet. “During the monsoon season, we have a lot of high winds, and it’s something that happens often.”
Montes added: “Seeing a flag on the floor is painful to me.”
She found out about the video after it was posted on Facebook, where it went viral, she said.
“While patrolling neighborhoods during the overnight hours, @PeoriaPoliceAZ Officer Montes, a #Military #Veteran, noticed an #AmericanFlag damaged from the wind. The resident posted the video to thank Officer Montes for taking care of it!”Added Montes to Fox & Friends: “It’s a sense of pride, and it’s a sense of pride for many officers. And I know I’m not the only officer that does this ... It’s a sense of honor for our country, and those of us who have served and continue to serve our community.”
