A police chief became viral online, not because he saved the day from criminals but because of his respectable bravery and selflessness. The viral police chief risked his safety in order to secure the life and well-being of a defenseless cub. His one-of-a-kind story is warming the hearts of people across the world.

Thomas Owens, who is now a police chief, has his fair share of black bear sightings when he was still working as a State Trooper in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. That being said, with New Hampshire being home to about 5,000 bears of all kinds, Thomas is knowledgeable about the things one can and cannot do in the presence of bears.

One lesson that Thomas learned from his State Trooper days is that it is best advised to keep distance from black bears, especially mama bears who are very protective of their cubs. However, when Thomas noticed a little and defenseless cub was in for a big trouble, he just could not follow the rules in fear for the life of the cub.

It was just an average day when Thomas, who was sitting inside his patrol car, noticed a mama black bear who was crossing the road back and forth, again and again, together her four cubs.

After watching for a few minutes, the police officer realized that the family kept crossing the roads because the nurturing mama bear was trying to encourage one of her cubs to keep up with them. Unfortunately, the small cub found it difficult to walk, and eventually, he decided to take a rest and sat down in the middle of the road.

At first, the mama black bear stayed with him for a few minutes, perhaps, trying to encourage him to stand up and keep up. Unfortunately, the little cub was too weak to stand and walk.

Soon, the mama black bear had to make a tough decision. She gathered her three healthy cubs and disappeared into the woods, abandoning the frail and sickly cub behind to fend for his own life.

The police officer wanted to help the sick cub, but he knew he could not just take the little cub carelessly for the mama bear might return and attack him. So Thomas did what he thought was best to do. He called and asked the help of New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife.

While waiting for the rescue team to arrive, Thomas stayed with the sickly cub. Bravely taking a risk, because certainly, if the mama black bear spotted him together with her cub, she would not be happy. However, Thomas knew that he cannot just leave the little cub alone.

Soon, the Fish and Wildlife rescue team came and took the defenseless cub to the rehab center. The selfless and compassionate police officer accompanied them and even took an adorable picture of his new found friend.

Later, Thomas found out that the mama black bear he had seen on the woods actually have 5 cubs! Apparently, the mama black bear already abandoned one of her cubs earlier because he was sickly as well.

Fortunately for the abandoned cub, the Fish and Wildlife rescue officials were able to find and save him before it was too late. They brought the cub to the rehab center as well where he was joined by his brother.

The two siblings will stay at the rehab center until they have nurtured themselves with strength and recovered from their illness. Once they are healthy, they will be released back to the wild to be with their longing mother and siblings again. Certainly, their mama black bear will be delighted to know that they survived and lived!

It’s unpleasant to think what could have happened if police officer Thomas was not around when the defenseless cub needed him the most. Thanks to Thomas’ quick thinking, bravery, and selflessness and to the dedicated people behind Fish and Wildlife, two cubs have been saved and given another shot at life!

May Thomas’ heartwarming story remind each and everyone of us that we are responsible, not only for ourselves, but to the lives of all kinds of being living in this world.