KATY, Texas – While working at the Great American Cookie location inside Katy Mills Mall on Sunday, Zack Randolph said he tried to do the right thing and buy a police officer a cookie with his own money, without using his employee discount.
"I did it because I thought it was very respectful,” Randolph told KPRC 2.
But Randolph said the gesture angered the customers in line behind the officer.
"They were asking if I was going to buy them a cookie. And I told them both, 'No. They don't have a badge. I'm sorry,'" Randolph said.
He said the customers got upset and threatened to beat him up or get him fired.
At first, he said he believed he would be fired.
Then, he said his manager suspended him for a week.
"Everywhere I've worked I've kinda’ been respected because of how I treated police officers. This was just a completely different response," Randolph said.
Great American Cookies told KPRC 2 that, after further review, Randolph did nothing wrong, reversed the suspension and said it would apologize.
"Our stores are independently managed and operated. However, when the situation was brought to our attention, Great American Cookies Corporate went directly to our franchisee to ensure that the situation was addressed and handled appropriately,” said David Kaiser, executive vice president of Great American Cookies.
The owner of the store also commented.
"After further review and a detailed investigation, we have confirmed that the employee was in the right. As a result, we have reached out to speak with the employee and his mother to issue an apology and the corrective action and suspension has been reversed," said Biju George, of VKC Refreshments, the owner and operator of the Great American Cookies at Katy Mills Mall.
Randolph’s mother posted the story online and thousands responded.
Some suggested customers take their cookie cash elsewhere. Randolph disagreed.
"I don't think the company should pay for that. That's a lot of lost business for the mistake of two or three people" Randolph said.
Randolph is an Eagle Scout who was taught to respect law enforcement. He said he knew he did the right thing.
"Because of this, I learned to respect police. And because of that I always got ... I always had people supporting me. Which is what how it should be. But this situation was a bit different," Randolph said.
"You should be rewarded for what you did,” said Randolph’s mother, Tami Randolph. "You kinda’ are teaching your kids to be respectful when you're adults. And when adults are not respectful back to you, it's just hard. You've gotta’ do what's kinda’ painful."
Since people started hearing the story, Randolph has received many job offers.
He is reluctant to say what he will do next, but he does confirm there are many options.
