A Los Angeles Sheriff's Department deputy received a cup bearing a hand-drawn pig image while ordering coffee at a Starbucks in Norwalk on Friday.
The LASD said on Facebook Jan. 10 that the image on the cup was deliberately placed as an intentional slight against the officer.
The meme—which resembles "John Pork," a popular social media meme—features an incoming call from an unusual animated pig. The figure was referenced recently on game show Jeopardy, where host Ken Jennings was confused after relaying a clue related to the meme to contestants.
The deputy immediately reported the incident to store management, triggering an investigation. Sheriff's officials escalated the matter, with the department's leadership contacting corporate security at Starbucks to formally raise concerns and ensure accountability. The sheriff also spoke directly with the affected deputy to provide support and reinforce that such disrespectful actions would not be tolerated.
A Starbucks spokesperson told NTD News that the situation "was unacceptable" and that the employee who handed the cup to the officer was separated and "no longer with Starbucks."
"We have a deep appreciation and respect for law enforcement, who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe," Jaci Anderson, communications director, said in an emailed statement. She added that Starbucks has reached out to the customer and Sheriff's Department several times to apologize. Employees also in the moment attempted to make things right with the customer, she said.
Anderson noted that the drawing is a popular meme and has no connection to law enforcement, and was never intended to be delivered to any customer. She said the meme was drawn on the cup earlier that day to uplift partners, hours before the officer placed his order.
The LASD characterized the act as offensive and inappropriate, highlighting that "our deputies serve this community with professionalism, dedication, and commitment, often under difficult and dangerous circumstances. Our deputies are part of the community and deserve to be treated respectfully and with basic human dignity."
The situation escalated when Kiefer Chief of Police Johnny O'Mara posted about the incident on Facebook in a post that has since been removed, criticizing what he called "absolute and total disrespect for a police officer." His post went viral and prompted Starbucks' immediate termination of the employee responsible for printing the labels.