Teen makes sure police officer pumping gas is 'safe'

Ever since Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth lost his life at a gas pump recently, Texas deputies can't help but feel anxious.

"You shouldn't be afraid to get gas or have your hand on your hip when you get gas," said Precinct 3 Deputy Tommi Kelley.

But Kelley wasn't alone the last time she needed to fill up.

"He walked up behind me and said, 'Ma'm, ma'm, so our first reaction is, yes?" Kelley said.

McKinley Zoellner, 16, asked Kelley if he could watch her pump her gas to make sure she was "safe."

"I was right there, kind of front in her, just watched and made sure no one was coming, making sure nothing was going to happen to her," Zoellner said.

"The poor kid was getting rained on," said Kelley. "It was pouring. After a full tank of gas, he's still getting rained on."

The simple act made a huge difference in Kelley's eyes. She shared her story on her Facebook page on September 3, saying "Yes, I'm the one with the gun on my hip while he stood there empty handed, but he for sure had my "6" while my back was turned."

"It was just amazing to see her face. After that she gave me a hug," Zoellner said.

The two snapped a selfie together and that photo has now gone viral. It's been shared more than 200,000 times.

"I hope people understand that we would risk our lives for them," Kelley said. "To be nervous having to pump gas is sickening to me. So when you have someone that is so young and mature and thoughtful, and came up to help, I was very impressed with him."

Both Deputy Kelley and Zoellner say they've gotten messages of support from all over the world. Now Zoellner hopes more people follow his lead and do whatever they can to help protect officers and keep them safe.