‘That’s what we do’: Whitman police officer spotted helping resident shovel her driveway

WHITMAN, Mass. — A Whitman police officer didn’t realize anyone was watching as he helped an older woman clear the snow from her driveway Monday morning.

Jill McGuirk said she looked out her window and saw Officer Kevin Harrington shoveling the snow from her neighbor’s driveway.

Harrington told Boston 25 News one of his morning duties is to help with student drop-off at Duval Elementary School, which is located across the street from the woman’s Regal Street home. He saw her shoveling as he was leaving the school.

“I couldn’t in good conscious drive by without stopping,” he said.

Harrington said he asked the woman if she wanted help. She declined his offer, but he insisted he help.

“I said, ‘No, I’ll do it. It’ll take me two minutes to do,’” Harrington recalled. “She was very grateful.”

Harrington said he couldn’t help but think of his parents when he saw the woman shoveling.

“My parents are 85 years old, God love them, and I would hope that if somebody saw them shoveling their driveway that they would stop and help them out,” he said.

McGuirk said her neighbor is very independent and tries to shovel her driveway herself. She said her husband was headed over to help her when he noticed Harrington.

McGuirk posted a picture of Harrington shoveling snow in a Facebook group for Whitman residents.

“He’s a good man,” one person wrote.

“Thank you for all you do Officer Harrington,” another commented. “Just the thing we all need to see and do!”

Harrington said he wasn’t looking for any praise. He said he’d stop and help anyone he saw struggling to shovel their driveway.

“Police are there to help people,” he said. “That’s what we do.”

According to the National Weather Service, Whitman picked up 7.4″ of snow Sunday.

Cox Media Group