NORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk Police officer is raising the spirits of little girls who lost their father to gun violence.
Their father, 33-year-old Ali Muhammad, was shot and killed in Norfolk on June 29, police say.
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Following the girls’ tragic loss, NPD officers have taken time to comfort the girls. Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot says he’s proud of the officers’ empathy.
“In just a few short months, I’ve seen some of the kindest and most compassionate examples of great policing right here in Norfolk. This is certainly a clear and convincing case in point! I am very proud to work with so many exceptional men and women,” said Chief Talbot.
One video shows the girls laughing while playing outside with Patrick Herr, an NPD officer.
“[Herr’s] superpowers, care and compassion went into overdrive to spend time with these little girls who suffered the heartbreak of a lifetime,” NPD said on its Facebook page last Thursday.
Shortly after Ali Muhammad's death, Norfolk police attended a rally where Bilal Muhammad, Ali Muhammad’s father who’s a well-known activist in the community, passionately advocated for gun violence prevention.
Bilal Muhammad will host a community “Stop the Violence” walk in Ocean View next month, the department says. We will share details about the walk once they’re available.
