The Photo Seen Around the World — and the Kindness That Inspired Millions

Across the street, tourist Jennifer Foster had witnessed everything. The young officer kneeling on the cold sidewalk, the quiet exchange, the simple act of care in a city known for its rush. She snapped a photo — just one — of Larry holding the boots beneath the streetlamp glow.

She later sent it to the NYPD with a brief note:
“Right when you think the world’s lost its compassion, something like this reminds you that goodness still exists.”

The NYPD shared the photo on Facebook. Within hours, it exploded across the internet — hundreds of thousands of shares, half a million likes, and messages pouring in from every corner of the world. People thanked Officer DePrimo for restoring their faith in humanity.

When reporters later asked why he did it, Larry simply shrugged. “It was nothing special. I just saw someone who needed help.”

But on that freezing night, to one man, it meant everything.

And to millions who saw the photo, it was a gentle reminder that true compassion doesn’t need headlines, applause, or cameras. It just needs someone willing to stop, kneel, and care.

One commenter summed it up beautifully:
📌 “The world may feel cold, but people like this remind us that warmth still walks among us.”