Coon Rapids Police Officer Picks Up Customer's Restaurant Bill

COON RAPIDS, Minn. -- A late night police call to a Coon Rapids restaurant earlier this month took an unexpected turn for a customer and the responding officer.

On December 9th, Coon Rapids police officer Josh Perkola responded to the Denny's on a report of a man unable to pay his bill, which was around $30. The customer had left his wallet at his hotel and offered to go get it, but instead after a short chat, the officer decided to pick up the tab.

"I'm a very firm believer of treating others the way you would like to be treated and that's kind of a motto that I've lived by and that my parents have really instilled that value in me," said officer Perkola. "And I really like to portray that in my work ethic. And he and I just kind of clicked and he kind of reminded me of my brother a little bit and I said, you know what don't worry - I got this round."

Little did Officer Perkola know, the man had been waiting at the restaurant for some friends to show up. They never did, after being involved in a fatal car accident.

The story of the officer's generosity took off on the city's Facebook page with thousands of views. The only thing Officer Perkola asked of the man was that, he, one day, do someone else a favor - and pay it forward.

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