Florida Boy Calls 911 Not for Emergency, but to Hug a Deputy: Officials Emphasize Importance of Emergency Line

Deputy Scott Pracht of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office teaches young boy about correct use of emergency services after 911 call to give police a hug goes viral.

A young boy in Florida dialed 911 from a disconnected cell phone with the intention of hugging a responding police officer, as captured in a video shared by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on their Facebook account.
Deputy Scott Pracht responded to the emergency call, and upon arrival was told by the boy's mother that her son was unaware of the purpose of 911.
When asked if he had called the police, the young boy admitted that he did so because he wanted to give Deputy Pracht a hug. This was followed by a sweet moment where the boy ran out of the house to hug the officer.
Deputy Pracht used the opportunity to educate the child about the importance of calling 911 only in times of emergency, giving examples of when it would be appropriate to call the emergency services.
Despite appreciating the child's genuine kindness, Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized the importance of teaching children about the appropriate use of emergency services. He reminded the public that 911 is a lifeline for emergencies.