Officer returns $120,000 - A California highway patrol sergeant, who found two Bank of America deposit bags containing about $120,000 in cash, has turned the money over to the police.
The highway patrol officer was reportedly off-duty and driving on Concord Boulevard near Princeton Court when she found the money in the middle of the road.
The unnamed CHP veteran said she had to swerve around the bags and make to U-turn to check what was inside them.
"I saw two bags that said bank of America, I opened it up just enough to see that it was hundred dollar bills," the sergeant said. According to her, her first reaction was to turn the money in.
"I was like, oh my god, it didn't feel real."
Reports indicate that the officer suspected that the cash may have come from a bank robbery or something illegal.
CHP spokesman Officer John Fransen said the money has since been returned to the rightful owner, who was identified after due diligence.
"I am happy to hear the rightful owner was identified and that the money has been returned," the sergeant, who was reportedly born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, said.
Meanwhile, the 31- years-old owner of the money, whose name was also not given, said the cash was his life savings which had come from the sale of a business.
The 'officer returns $120,000' story has since gone viral online. Although many commentators were surprised, they welcomed the kind gesture of the unidentified officer. The 'officer returns $120,000' story has also been commended as an example of responsible policing.
CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Avery Browne praised the sergeant for her actions. He also noted that "on too many occasions our personnel do not pause to be recognized as they feel they were simply doing their job."
The sergeant at the center of the 'officer returns $120,000' story says she would have been able to escape with the loot, but would have felt guilty afterwards. She said her actions would hopefully teach her kids that "integrity is what you do when nobody is looking."
