This cop was inspired to help others after being a victim of a hate crime

After Brandon White was attacked in a vicious anti-gay hate crime, it changed his life.

But he didn’t let it define him negatively. Instead, the response by the community and law enforcement inspired him to help other people in danger. He joined the police force and now works as a first responder.

Related: I met the man who prosecuted notorious Nazi Adolf Eichmann. It changed my life.

As I sat listening in quiet respect, tears welling in my eyes, I thought once again about my family members slaughtered in Nazi Germany.

In 2012, the attack on White garnered national attention after four men pounced on him as he left an Atlanta store, beating and kicking him as they screamed anti-gay slurs. The perpetrators uploaded a video of the violence online to brag about their attack on a defenseless teenager.

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No one reported the crime to the police and after the video was uploaded, cops were left without any information — including White’s identity or that of his attackers.

“I didn’t know any of the attackers,” he said. “I didn’t know why they attacked me until I saw the video and learned that it was motivated by my sexuality. They felt like they didn’t want gays in their neighborhood.”

Growing up on Atlanta’s West side, White had assumed the police wouldn’t help him. After investigators launched an inquiry and publicly asked for help identifying him, his perception shifted.

Federal authorities also got involved. When the perpetrators were identified and arrested, they were charged with local, state, and federal charges. The men were the first to be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The law specifically protects LGBTQ+ people.

“Working with [the Atlanta Police Department] APD, the [Georgia Bureau of Investigation] GBI, and the United States Attorney’s Office gave me a completely different outlook to show that law enforcement is there to help you and to better your community,” White said.

Their help, he said, was “instrumental throughout the entire process towards the fight for justice.” All four attackers were convicted.

White used what had happened to him to pay the help forward, telling his story as often as possible while dreaming of taking a more active role in assisting other people targeted by hate. While speaking on a panel in Atlanta during a discussion about hate crimes, he met the Chamblee Police Department interim chief and told him he wanted to join the force.

He was encouraged to apply and was hired a month later.

“Being a police officer has truly been a whirlwind adventure and an eye opener,” White said. “My message is Stop the Hate, look within, and know your worth.”

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