Street Sweeper Who Stopped to Pet a Stray Cat Touched Millions – His Story Ended in Tragedy

A heartwarming video of a municipal street sweeper from Turkey has once again gone viral on social media after he paused his work to gently pet a stray cat.

The touching moment won the hearts of millions of people last year, but the beloved worker's story sadly came to a tragic end just a few months ago.

Facebook

The video was filmed in September 2025 in the Turkish town of Bor, in Niğde Province, after a local resident happened to notice the scene through the window of his apartment and recorded it on his phone.

Within days, the clip spread across social media platforms and touched viewers around the world.

He spotted a stray cat and forgot about everything else

At the end of last year, Nevruz Özkan became an internet sensation after he noticed a stray cat while sweeping the streets. Without hesitation, he set his broom aside, walked over to the animal, gently stroked it, and quietly spoke to it.

Although he was in the middle of his workday, he took a few moments for a simple act of kindness that deeply moved millions of people. The authenticity of the moment quickly made the video go viral, with many users commenting that gestures like this restore faith in humanity.

He cared for stray animals every single day

It later emerged that this was far from a one-time event. In interviews, Nevruz explained that caring for stray animals had long been part of his daily routine.

He always carried dry pet food in the pockets of his green work uniform for stray cats and dogs. The animals had grown so familiar with him that many would wait for him along his route, knowing he would feed them or simply spend a few moments showing them affection.

The city honored him for his compassion

After the overwhelming public response, Nevruz was officially received by the Mayor of Bor, Serkan Baran, who thanked him for his compassion and kindness toward animals, describing him as an example for the entire community.

The municipality presented him with the honorary title "Kedi Dostu", meaning "Friend of Cats", along with an award recognizing his contribution to improving the treatment of stray animals.

City officials said Nevruz had become a source of pride for both the municipal services and the entire town, proving that true kindness does not require grand gestures, only a big heart.

A heartbreaking ending just months later

The story that had inspired millions around the world took a tragic turn in May 2026. Nevruz Özkan passed away unexpectedly at the age of 50.

After he stopped answering phone calls, concerned relatives alerted the police. Officers later entered his apartment in Bor, where they found him dead.

The news saddened residents of the town as well as countless social media users who still remembered the touching video. Many said the world had lost not only a dedicated municipal worker but also a man with extraordinary compassion who cared every day for those who could never ask for help themselves.