Three-Year-Old Mistakes Cop With White Beard For Santa

When this little girl approached him at a restaurant, the chief of police for Milton, West Virginia, didn't realize what he was in for. He took an oath to serve and protect, and this weekend, protecting her faith and playing along was exactly what he did. 

Police Chief Parsons went above and beyond with this little citizen, and it reminds us that this holiday season we all need to be a little more compassionate, understanding, and maintain a little bit of a sense of humor. 

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Meet Police Chief Joe Parsons.

Chief Parsons runs the Milton Police Department where officers perform a host of different duties for their community as well as being responsible for a 10-mile stretch of I-64. 

According to their website, "The department’s goal is to serve the community with pride, professionalism, and integrity. We also strive to ensure each resident and visitor feels safe and secure within the City, and are able to continue with a good quality life within the community."

The chief is usually a little bit more well-groomed.

"We usually aren't so shaggy here but are doing 'No shave November' for prostate cancer awareness," Chief Parsons explained. A fun initiative for an excellent cause. 

The chief has been going viral online lately. 

But it's not due to the well-publicized drug busts or multiple arrests recently (though he did write about them in The Miltonian monthly newsletter because he is very proud of "these officers [who] do any amazing job for the citizens of Milton").

It's actually because of a case of mistaken identity. 

Chief Parsons was out for dinner last weekend when he was approached by a young lady. 

She was pretty starstruck to find that Santa was out for dinner at the same restaurant she was!

Chief Parsons didn't correct the little girl, but instead decided to keep the magic alive. "When a three-year-old comes up to you during dinner and thinks you are Santa Claus you roll with it. This beautiful young lady would like a princess Barbie for Christmas. She also now believes Santa is a policeman between Christmases. Wonderful encounter."

Well, that would certainly explain how he knows if you've been bad or good!

Parents have been commenting on the Milton PD's Facebook page, "Of course Santa is a policeman in the off season! Who else could work alone all night and cover so much ground!" and "That explains everything... :)" 

He might be tough on crime, but we suspect the chief is a big softie. 

The MPD Facebook page is filled with pictures of events hosted for children or kids at the station learning. And Chief Parsons is always there. It's important to educate while they're still young, but we think he just loves to have fun. 

This chief cares about his community, and every single person in it — especially the littlest ones. 

From new, creative initiatives like Blankets of Love (pictured here, made by Dawn Wallace, to comfort children at trauma scenes) to pretending to be Santa Claus (which, apparently, made his night), he's always looking out for them. 

Maybe she was on to something...