Kansas Police Officer Hugs Distressed Driver During Traffic Stop

Body camera footage released on Tuesday has gone viral, showcasing the touching moment when a Johnson County Sheriff's Office Deputy, Anthony Bussell, offered a hug to a driver who was feeling distressed after being pulled over for speeding on August 5th.

Body camera footage released Tuesday shows a Johnson County, Kansas, deputy hug a distressed driver during a traffic stop.

In the video, the driver explained to the deputy that he was facing some personal challenges and requested a hug from the deputy. Without any hesitation, Deputy Bussell extended a warm hug to the driver to comfort him.

"Can I have a hug? I need a hug. Can I have a hug, please?" the driver asked after telling the deputy his story.

"Sure. Sure. Yeah," the deputy answered, and the driver exited the car.

"I don’t mean to bother you, but I’m sorry," the driver said.

"No, you’re good, man," the deputy replied, embracing the man. "I promise you, it’s going to get better."

Body Cam Footage

(Johnson County Sheriff's Office)

Praising The Officer

Despite receiving some criticism from skeptics who believed that it could have posed a safety risk, the Sheriff's office praised Deputy Bussell for showing compassion and posted the footage to their social media pages as a reminder that the police department serves with empathy.

"The men and women of the JCSO come in contact with people every day who are going through their own battles. We strive to be compassionate while serving our community. This is our pledge to you," they posted.

JCSO Dep. Anthony Bussell showed compassion by giving a driver he pulled over a hug. (Johnson County Sheriff's Office)

Overall, the response to the video has been overwhelmingly positive, with many individuals applauding the Sheriff's office and recognizing the importance of mental health support.

Comments On The Video

"We need more people like this! Mental health is real!" one person commented.

"Absolutely the most dangerous thing I can imagine from an officer safety standpoint. Was he speeding from a homicide ... a robbery? Never let anyone that close to you. There is always a weapon in any encounter ... and you brought it," another said.

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Source: Kansas Police Officer Hugs Distressed Driver During Traffic Stop