How One Boy’s Honesty at New Bedford Feast Earned Police Praise

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — During New Bedford’s Feast of the Blessed Sacrament this past weekend, thousands upon thousands of people visited Madeira Field, reveling in the festivities and perhaps accidentally dropping a few things along the way.

Nolan’s Honest Act at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament

One young man, identified only by his first name, Nolan, happened upon someone’s property while attending the Feast. While some young children might think nothing of taking the item and putting it in their own pocket, Nolan knew to do the right thing.

He approached a member of the New Bedford Police Department and told them what he had found, hoping to reunite it with its rightful owner. Although the police did not provide any information on what the item was, they were moved by Nolan’s integrity and empathy.

However, Nolan did get to leave the Feast with something new and shiny; Police Chief Jason Thody gave him one of the department’s coveted challenge coins as a reward for his selfless act.

Police Chief Jason Thody’s Praise for Nolan

“It’s not every day you meet a young person who goes out of their way to do the right thing,” Chief Thody told WBSM. “Nolan showed real integrity by turning in something that didn’t belong to him, and I was proud to recognize that with one of our department’s challenge coins.”

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What Are Police Challenge Coins?

When the New Bedford Police Department first launched its challenge coins in 2023, Assistant Deputy Chief Scott Carola, who designed the coins, told us the practice went back as far as World War II or perhaps even World War I.

“Different infantries, different divisions of the military had these coins that would signify what division or battalion they were in. They were commemorative,” Carola said. “These soldiers would get R&R, go to a bar, and while they were drinking it up, sometimes one soldier would ask the other, ‘Where’s your challenge coin?’ and if they didn’t have it, they had to buy a round for the bar.”

READ MORE: New Bedford Police Launch Challenge Coin Hunt

He said the practice grew to include law enforcement agencies, which would trade them among each other, the same way they would often trade department patches.

Community Reactions to Nolan’s Integrity

The police department shared the photo of Nolan along with his good deed on the department Facebook page, and dozens of comments poured in to commend the young man.

“I was one of Nolan’s camp counselors this summer, he is truly one of the sweetest kids!” Cami wrote.

“Somebody is raising that young man right!” Amy-Beth commented.

“Good job, Nolan!” wrote Leslie. “Kindness means everything!”

“You're an amazing young man, Nolan! Honesty is the best policy! You did the right thing!” Sandra wrote.

Perhaps, though, Chief Thody said it best in his statement to WBSM about Nolan.

“I think this young man will do great things,” he said.