Officer John Bradley of the Brookline Police Department in the Boston area is the subject of a recent viral Internet photo. During the citywide lockdown following the Boston Marathon bombing, Bradley was photographed bringing milk to a family.
His act of kindness in the midst of a crisis caught the attention of many as it swept the Internet. One particular Facebook share totalled 512,554 likes and 98,160 shares, as of May 6.
How did you know the family was in need of milk?
I was at my post at the top of a short street. Myself and several other officers from Brookline were acting as perimeter guards.
I was with another officer at this particular time, when I saw a woman step out from a house about three houses away. The woman gestured for me and I ran down to see her.
The woman asked if she could go out to get milk for her 17-month-old grandson. I told her no, that I would go get it.
Why did you get it for them in the middle of the crisis?
Having been there for such a long time, I felt bad for all the residents who had been virtually locked in their homes. I did not give it much more thought than realizing these people needed help and I was able to help at that time.
I had just returned from a local gas station that I found to be open. I had refueled the police vehicle and returned to my post. My co-worker was still there covering the post, and this provided me the opportunity to return to the gas station to get the milk.
How far did you have to go to get it?
The gas station was 1.5 miles away. It only took a few minutes to get there and back.
Did you pick up whole or reduced fat?
I purchased two gallons of Hood brand whole milk, as seen in the photo.
What was the family’s reaction to this special milk delivery?
The family was very appreciative of the gesture; it was the father of the child who took the photo from the second floor of the home.
Were you surprised that the photo went viral on the Internet?
A co-worker informed me about the picture on the web, and by Saturday it had gone viral. Saturday morning my department put it out on the Brookline Police Department’s Twitter page and Facebook page.
It then took on a life of its own after I had been identified. Many media outlets contacted me and asked for interviews.
At the time I did not wish to speak to anyone. I felt it would take away from all the good work hundreds of brother and sister officers did during the whole ordeal. I was in a position where I was able to help someone, and I did it. I am sure many others would have done the same.
I was pleased to hear the family was OK with the media attention from the picture. They actually were concerned about me since the picture had gone viral. I was OK with it since I had decided to stay away from the media and let the hype die.
How did the other officers react to your errand?
My co-workers know me and what I am like, and that is stuff I do. As for the tactical situation I was in, my team allowed me to go. It was an appropriate time to be relieved. Of course, they have had several things to say about the picture.
I now have some interesting nicknames: “Milkman,” of course, and some others. But my co-workers are great guys, and they understand what our role as a department was there. As I said, they would have done the same.
Are you personally a milk-drinker?
I am a milk-drinker – skim milk. PD
