Every day, first responders, law enforcement officials, and emergency workers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. Their dedication often means long hours and challenging conditions. After a particularly grueling shift, four Louisiana police officers decided to unwind at their local Outback Steakhouse in Slidell, Louisiana.

Their evening went smoothly, but a surprise awaited them when they checked their receipt. Zoë Rao, their server, described them as “the sweetest guys” and enjoyed serving them. What caught everyone’s attention, however, was the message on their bill.

Manager Arline Wood, who had been with Outback for eighteen years, and server Zoë Rao had planned a special gesture. When the officers received their $67 bill, they were astonished to find that it had been covered by the restaurant. The receipt was adorned with a heartfelt note thanking them for their service, saying: “Thank you for your service!” and wishing them a pleasant dinner.

The Slidell Police Department expressed their gratitude by posting a photo of the receipt on Facebook, which quickly went viral. Despite the overwhelming response, Arline Wood and Zoë Rao had not intended for their gesture to gain such widespread attention. Wood later admitted that the unexpected publicity was overwhelming, noting, “We didn’t do it for the attention because, well, I hate attention of any kind.”

Even so, the publicity may have brought something positive.