A woman from Alabama is sharing how a police officer who stopped her for speeding helped change her life.
In August 2022, 20-year-old Abbie Rutledge was driving on a highway in Birmingham when she was pulled over by Alabama state trooper J.T. Brown. Speaking with CBS News on September 6, she explained that she never expected the traffic stop to lead to a major life change.
Rutledge told the officer that she couldn’t afford the speeding ticket and was broke and stuck in a dead-end job.” Instead of issuing a ticket, Brown suggested they talk about her situation.
Their conversation lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, during which they discussed different career options. Brown suggested that she consider becoming a nurse. He gave her a warning instead of a ticket and wrote on it, Promise me you’ll go to nursing school, and slow down, and I won’t give you a ticket.
Two years later, Rutledge kept her promise.
Right after that, I started working toward becoming a nurse, she told CBS. Now I’m here.
Rutledge enrolled in a surgical technology program at a local community college. Brown even attended her graduation.
I wanted him to see the difference he made, she said. A simple conversation can make a huge impact on someone’s life.
Now 22, Rutledge works as a surgical technician at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital and says she loves her job, giving Brown credit for her success.
It was the right person, at the right time, saying the right things, she reflected.
Brown added, She made my whole career worth it.