ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. » A southwest Florida police officer is being lauded after he went above and beyond to help a mentally disabled man whose bike was stolen.

Guy Sloben has been riding his bike to the supermarket where he bags groceries since 2006. He was devastated when his bike was stolen about two weeks ago. St. Petersburg police Officer Michael Romano responded to the theft, picked up 41-year-old Sloben, bought him a slice of pizza and drove him to his job.

Romano told his partner, Officer Jeffrey Nichols, and the two went to the store where Nichols bought a new bike and lock for Sloben. The grateful Sloben was able to ride home from work that day.

A woman who works for an agency that helps people with disabilities find jobs said Sloben has an intense fear of riding the bus.

The Tampa Bay Times reports Nichols was honored at a ceremony Thursday.