Starbucks Faces Backlash After Barista Gives LA Sheriff’s Deputy Coffee in a Cup With an Offensive Drawing

12 January 2026

The LA County Sheriff’s Department spoke out after one of its deputies was served a cup of coffee with a hand-drawn image of a pig. KTLA

A seemingly ordinary coffee run in Norwalk, California on January 9, 2026 quickly transformed into a national conversation about respect, workplace conduct and corporate responsibility when a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was handed a Starbucks cup bearing a hand-drawn image of a pig, a symbol widely regarded as derogatory toward law enforcement. The incident, which occurred during one of the deputy’s grueling 16-hour shifts, prompted swift action from Starbucks, sharp criticism from law enforcement officials and a flurry of reactions across social media and community forums underscoring how even small gestures in everyday settings can take on outsized significance in today’s polarized climate.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the deputy stopped at the Starbucks on Firestone Boulevard and Pioneer Boulevard in Norwalk to grab a coffee during a long shift of service. What he received instead was a cup marked with a hand-drawn pig, a crude reference that the department says is commonly used to demean law enforcement personnel. The deputy described the moment on his private social media account, writing that he had simply wanted caffeine but was left feeling uneasy and disrespected by the encounter.

The sheriff’s department issued a statement calling the act “extremely offensive, inappropriate and unacceptable,” and quickly elevated the situation by contacting Starbucks’ corporate security team to express concerns. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also spoke directly with the deputy to check on his well-being and offer support, emphasizing that deputies who serve the community under often difficult and dangerous circumstances — deserve respect and basic human dignity. The department’s communication highlighted broader concerns about actions that promote hostility or division toward law enforcement, noting that such conduct can weaken community trust and public safety.

Starbucks responded rapidly after the incident gained attention. A spokesperson for the coffee company confirmed that an internal investigation was launched and that the employee responsible for giving the deputy the marked cup had been terminated from their position. The company’s statement reiterated that every customer should feel welcome in its stores, and emphasized that the drawing reportedly inspired by the “John Pork” internet meme — was never intended to be served to a customer. Starbucks said it had reached out to both the deputy and senior leaders within the sheriff’s department to offer apologies.

The explanation offered by Starbucks, which framed the drawing as originating from a light-hearted doodle among employees rather than a targeted act of disrespect, did little to quell public debate. On social media, comments ran the gamut from those expressing unequivocal support for the deputy and law enforcement to others who viewed the reaction as overly sensitive or emblematic of broader cultural tensions around policing and public discourse. Some critics questioned whether an incident involving a sketch inspired by an internet meme should escalate into corporate firings and formal apologies, while others noted that people in uniform often endure disrespectful conduct without recourse.

The incident also drew comparisons to similar controversies in Starbucks’ past, with observers recalling instances in 2019 when baristas in other U.S. states wrote derogatory terms on police officers’ drink labels, prompting backlash and resulting in disciplinary action. Those episodes, in Oklahoma and Arizona had sparked national headlines at the time and underscored how interactions between service workers and law enforcement can rapidly become symbolic flashpoints for larger societal debates. Starbucks’ swift decision to terminate the employee in the Norwalk case suggests the company was eager to avoid a prolonged reputational issue and to reaffirm its stated respect for law enforcement and all customers.

Law enforcement groups and unions were equally prompt in weighing in. The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs issued a statement through its leadership expressing hope that the incident was isolated and not reflective of broader community values, while also calling for a sincere apology and corrective action. Such reactions reflect not just concern over a single cup but a wider emphasis on respect for public servants who are regularly on the front lines of community safety.

For the deputy involved, the experience likely underscored the emotional toll of long shifts and the weariness that can come with public service. The 16-hour shift he was completing when he stopped for coffee was emblematic of the demanding schedules often faced by law enforcement officers, and his message conveyed a sense of discouragement at being treated disrespectfully after such a long stretch of duty. Whether or not critics view the drawing itself as offensive, the episode highlights how even small acts can be interpreted through vastly different lenses depending on context and lived experience.

In the wake of the incident, Starbucks reiterated its commitment to ensuring that its stores are welcoming to all customers. The company’s outreach to law enforcement leaders and the terminated employee’s departure underscore a broader effort to manage public perception and affirm corporate values at a time when interactions between citizens and law enforcement are under intense scrutiny. Meanwhile, community voices on both sides of the issue continue to debate the implications of the episode, reflecting broader cultural divides over respect, decorum and the meaning of symbolic gestures.

As the story has unfolded, it has served as a reminder that in today’s highly connected media environment, even a routine coffee stop can become a catalyst for conversation about respect, workplace conduct and the responsibilities of both corporations and individuals in navigating sensitive social issues. Whether viewed as a regrettable mistake or a telling glimpse into deeper tensions, the Norwalk Starbucks incident has captured national attention and spurred dialogue far beyond the walls of any single coffee shop.