Police officer's act of kindness: Buying a bike for a homeless man

NEW YORK (WABC) -- It started off as a call about a suspicious person inside a park, but what ended up happening will forever change two lives.

A police officer performed a simple act of kindness for a stranger.

"Sometimes I have to sleep outside because I want to keep my job. That's just how it is," said Samuel Meixueiro, who says he's fallen on hard times.

Because of a checkered past, he says a lot of doors have been shut in his face. He lost his home and has been sleeping in a church, walking from Kansas City to Mission every day for work.

"It's a five-to-six hour walk. I've been doing it so I can keep my job," he said.

Last Tuesday, he decided to take a break in a park before work. Someone nearby saw him and thought he looked suspicious, and called the cops.

"He shook my hand, we had a chat like I was talking to a friend of mine," said Officer Zach Stamper.

"As I told him my story he started loosening up. Started realizing I'm not a vagrant. I have a job. I'm doing the best I can," said Meixueiro.

Officer Stamper gave him a ride to work, but Meixueiro's story stuck with him long after he dropped him off.

"I was like, wow. My commute, I drive to work and it's done. I couldn't imagine spending five hours a day traveling back and forth to work, let alone on foot," said Stamper.

He came back 30 minutes later with a bike for Meixueiro and a duffel bag for him to carry all of his things.

"I cried. I couldn't believe it. Things are so hard for me right now. Any kind of help is just a blessing," Samuel said.

"It made my day. It made my career," said Stamper.

Meixueiro says the bike meant the world, but what meant more is someone believing in him and his future.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said.

The pair exchanged phone numbers and plan to stay in touch for a long time to come.