Officer’s Life-Changing Advice
Two years ago, Abbie Rutledge from Alabama was pulled over by state trooper J.T. Brown for speeding on her way to work.
Rutledge, 20 at the time, told the trooper she couldn’t afford a ticket and was stuck in a dead-end job. Instead of issuing the citation, Brown suggested they talk about her situation. For 10 to 15 minutes, they discussed different career options, and by the end of the conversation, Brown convinced her to consider nursing school.
Two years later, Rutledge is now a surgical technician at the University of Alabama Hospital, and she credits Trooper Brown for her success. She invited him to her graduation and showed him the citation, which listed a fine of $0.00, with a handwritten note: “Promise me you’ll go into scrub or nursing school & slow down, and I won’t give you a ticket.” When asked if he ever thought the conversation would have such an impact, Brown admitted, “Never.” It’s a reminder of how a simple conversation can change a life.