An LA County Sheriff’s deputy says a Starbucks barista handed him a coffee cup doodled with a pig during a 16-hour shift, prompting an apology and internal review from the chain.
At a Glance
- A deputy received a cup with a pig drawing Jan. 9 in Norwalk
- Starbucks calls the art an unapproved “John Pork” meme mishap
- The department says it is “deeply concerned” by the incident
- Why it matters: The episode spotlights tensions between police and retail staff in everyday interactions
The deputy, identified on social media as Deputy B. Longoria, posted that he stopped at the Norwalk Starbucks for caffeine after finishing a taxing day of patrol. Instead of a routine order, he noticed a hand-drawn pig on the cup.
“When I received my drink, I noticed an employee had drawn a pig on the cup. It felt discouraging and disrespectful, especially after a long day of serving the community. All I wanted was caffeine, but instead I left feeling uneasy,” the deputy wrote.
He reported the incident to the store manager, who promised to look into the matter, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Starbucks Responds
Starbucks confirmed it opened an investigation and issued an apology to the deputy and the department.
“We have a deep appreciation and respect for law enforcement, who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe,” a company spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the drawing was meant to resemble the popular online “John Pork” meme, an animated pig that appears as an incoming-call prank on TikTok. The image was never intended to be handed to any customer.
The meme gained enough traction to be featured on Jeopardy, where host Ken Jennings admitted confusion while presenting the clue.
Department Reaction
LASD officials said they were “deeply concerned” about the episode and emphasized the importance of respectful treatment of first responders.
The incident report has been documented, and the department expects Starbucks to complete its internal review and share findings.
Community Context
The Norwalk location sits in a densely populated corridor where deputies regularly respond to service calls. Local residents interviewed by News Of Losangeles expressed mixed reactions, with some defending the deputy and others citing broader frustrations over policing.
For now, Starbucks says it is re-training staff on beverage-handling protocols to prevent similar missteps.
Key Takeaways
- A pig doodle meant as an internal meme reached a uniformed deputy, sparking backlash
- Starbucks apologized, citing respect for law enforcement
- The chain’s internal investigation continues, with results pending
