'Hero' Sheriff's Deputy Spotted on Camera Saving American Flag That Nearly Touched the Ground

A viral video shows Missouri sheriff’s deputy and veteran Brandon McElroy going above and beyond the call of duty after finding an American flag on a broken flagpole that was almost on the ground.

In a Facebook post, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office explained that the occurrence took place on March 15 in Avondale after a storm had gone through the city.

"Doing little things such as making sure it doesn’t touch the ground or picking it up off the ground, just little things you can show it respect.”

McElroy, who served for nearly eight years with the Air Force at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri as a security forces member, was driving through the neighborhood at the time.

The heartwarming video, which was sent into the sheriff’s office by a resident, shows the deputy slowing down in front of the house. After seeing the flag partly draped on the ground, he turns around and gets out of his vehicle.

In the clip, McElroy can be seen going onto the front yard. He then removes the flag from the broken pole before folding it up on the front porch of the home.

CAPTURING THE INTERNET'S HEART

His act of kindness has put a smile on the face of so many.

"I can almost guarantee he is a Veteran or he loves our American Flag as much as I do. Thank you, Sir," one Facebook user wrote.

"Much respect and deepest gratitude for your service, Deputy," added another.

"There should be a class in school to learn how to fold an American flag! I am proud to be an American!" a third person commented. "Many praises to this gentleman!"

SHOWING RESPECT

In an interview with Fox & Friends, McElroy said that when he noticed the flag down, his initial reaction was to make the best decision and "make sure to show respect and pick it up off the ground."

He added: "I'm not necessarily on the lookout for it, but driving in that area, I've always noticed his flagpole up with the flag waving and driving through that area that particular morning I noticed it was down and just had to pick it up."

McElroy went on to say that showing respect to the flag means a lot to him. "Doing little things such as making sure it doesn’t touch the ground or picking it up off the ground, just little things you can show it respect,” he explained.

SYMBOLISM

The flag of the United States is one of the country's most widely recognized symbols. It's usual to put little flags by war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war veterans on Memorial Day.

Recently, Army Specialist Joseph Collette, who was killed in Afghanistan, is commemorated at a procession in Ohio. He'll be honored with the streets of his hometown lined with brand new American flags.