Boy Calls 911 To Ask For Hug From Hillsborough Sheriff's Deputy: Video

RIVERVIEW, FL — In a heartwarming display demonstrating the bond between Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the community they serve, a deputy responded to a call from a boy who dialed 911 not for an emergency but because he simply wanted to hug a deputy.

On Wednesday just before 1 p.m., Deputy Scott Pracht responded to a disconnected 911 call from a home in Riverview. When the deputy arrived, instead of finding someone in trouble, he discovered a little boy who simply needed a hug.

The boy's mother answered the door when Pracht knocked, and was befuddled when the deputy said he received a 911 call from the house. After looking at the outgoing calls on her cell phone, she verified that, indeed, a 911 call had been made shortly before 1 p.m.

"I didn't even know he knew how to call 911," the mother told the deputy.

Pracht's body-worn camera and the home's Ring doorbell video camera captured the moment when the child, hearing that a sheriff's deputy was at the front door, raced out of the house to hug the deputy and then proudly announced that he knew how to call 911.

Pracht returned the boy's hug and commended him on knowing how to dial 911, but then patiently explained that he should only dial 911 in case of an emergency.

"You know what that's for?" Pracht asked the boy. "It's for when you're in trouble and you need help or someone you know is in trouble and needs help. It's very important. You've got to be careful when you call that number, OK?"

He then gave the boy a fist bump and told the boy, "It's OK. Don't worry about it."

As he returned to his sheriff's cruiser, Pracht chuckled as he reported in over his radio, "Just checking in. A kid wanted a hug."

Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister reiterated the need to use 911 judiciously and invited children to an event where they could get their fill of hugs from sheriff's deputies.

"We deeply appreciate the genuine kindness shown by this young child. Our deputies are more than willing to share a hug and spread love to children in our community. However, it's essential for everyone to remember that 911 is a lifeline for emergencies,” Chronister said. "We are here to help, and we encourage parents and educators to teach children about the appropriate use of emergency services."

He added there will be plenty of deputies on hand for hugs on Wednesday, Nov. 29, when the sheriff's office hosts its annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony.

The free tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Operations Center, 2008 E. Eighth Ave. in Ybor City. The event will feature holiday music by local high school students, cookies and cocoa.