A tourist witnessed an NYPD officer giving a homeless man without shoes - and with blistered feet - a pair of winter boots. This photo, taken unbeknown to the officer at the time, has since gone viral. (scroll down for a story update)

Facebook Picture of NYPD Officer Lawrence DePrimo Giving a Homeless Man Boots Goes Viral


UPDATE #2:

Looks like Jeffrey Hillman's problems are a lot more complicated than mere shoelessness: The 54-year-old panhandler given new shoes by an NYPD police officer and seen barefoot again days later USED to be homeless, but has had an apartment in the Bronx secured by Veterans Affairs since 2009.  "He does have stable housing," says New York City's homeless services commissioner. "We’ve worked with Mr. Hillman for years."  UGH!

UPDATE #1:

The homeless man, Jeffrey Hillman, is already barefoot again. He told reporters who caught up with him in Manhattan's upper West side, "Those shoes are hidden. They are worth a lot of money.  I could lose my life." He revealed mixed feelings about the moment that warmed hearts around the world. "I was put on YouTube, I was put on everything without permission. What do I get?" he asked. "This went around the world, and I want a piece of the pie."

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The cellphone photo of Officer Lawrence DePrimo, snapped by Jennifer Foster of Florence, Ariz., on Nov. 14. 

Here’s how Foster set the scene...:

“Right when I was about to approach, one of your officers came up behind him. The officer said, ‘I have these size 12 boots for you, they are all-weather. Let’s put them on and take care of you.’ The officer squatted down on the ground and proceeded to put socks and the new boots on this man. The officer expected NOTHING in return and did not know I was watching. I have been in law enforcement for 17 years. I was never so impressed in my life. I did not get the officer’s name. It is important, I think, for all of us to remember the real reason we are in this line of work. The reminder this officer gave to our profession in his presentation of human kindness has not been lost on myself or any of the Arizona law enforcement officials with whom this story has been shared.”