Eivind Ertesvag 
He was 92 years old, confused, and just trying to withdraw money from his account. But when his outdated ID caused a stir inside the bank, staff called the police—expecting the elderly man to be escorted out.
They never expected what happened next.
The incident unfolded at a Bank of America branch in Montebello, California. Employees had called the police, reporting that an “uncooperative” elderly man was disturbing other customers and refusing to leave after being denied access to his funds.
But Officer Robert Josett didn’t come to remove anyone. He came to help.
When the officer arrived, he quickly realized the situation wasn’t a disturbance—it was a misunderstanding. The man simply wanted to take out money from his own bank account. But his identification had expired, and staff refused to assist him without a valid ID.
Frustrated and confused, the man grew upset. He didn’t understand why no one would help him, even though he had the funds and the account. Staff insisted he leave. He didn’t—and maybe he didn’t fully understand why he was being turned away.
Instead of forcibly removing the man, Officer Josett gently offered a different solution.
He drove the elderly man to the DMV himself, helped him renew his ID, and then took him back to the bank—where he was finally able to withdraw his money.
Someone captured a photo of the two walking into the bank side-by-side, and the Montebello Police Department shared it on Facebook. The response was immediate—and global.
“This officer didn’t just do his job,” one commenter wrote. “He reminded us what compassion looks like.”
Thousands of people have since praised Officer Josett for his kindness, patience, and humanity—proving that sometimes, the most powerful thing a uniformed officer can do is show heart.
In a world often filled with rushed decisions and strict rules, this small act of empathy reminded us all: behind every frustration, there’s a human being who just needs a little help.
