Moving photo shows Smyrna police officer praying with woman as her home burns down

SMYRNA, Ga. — A moving photo shows a metro Atlanta police officer going above and beyond to comfort the victim of a house fire when he thought no one was watching.

On Friday, Cobb County firefighters responded to a massive fire on Green Forest Parkway in Smyrna. Luckily, no one was hurt, but a woman lost her home.

In a photo taken by Smyrna police, two figures stand dwarfed by an apocalyptic scene: Black smoke billows overhead in an ominous column as flames burst through the roof. The homeowner and a police officer stand hand-in-hand, heads bowed, praying.

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In a post on Facebook, Smyrna police identified the officer comforting the woman and praying with her as Officer T. Melvin. Police said Melvin served as a Marine before joining the Smyrna Police Department.

“Officer Melvin and many other officers routinely comfort, pray, and protect those that we serve on a daily basis,” the police station wrote. "I am happy we were able to capture this photo of Officer T. Melvin as I am certain he didn’t know he was being photographed. "

The woman’s identity has not been released, but a woman on Facebook said she the woman in the photo is a friend and thanked Melvin for helping her during a tough time.

“So thankful he prayed with my friend,” Bonnie Edwards wrote. “She is a wonderful Christian lady and I know he helped comfort her during this terrible time. Thank you SPD T Melvin.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the victim.

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