Police Officer Sees Elderly Lady Walking Alone on Busy Highway, Drops Everything to Get Her to Her Hairstylist

A young police officer stopped an elderly lady on her way to a hair appointment. Was she over-speeding? No. The older adult was walking — alone — and he decided to help her. Check out why.

Being stopped by a police officer is not something most people like, especially on the highway. The first thing that comes to onlookers' minds is that the person stopped is driving above the speed limit or is an offender/suspect.

Despite some of the unpleasantness that comes with being stopped and checked, police officers are always there to protect. So, their presence signals security and some sense of assurance that nothing can go wrong.

Seeing a police officer ready to give a ride is not an everyday thing, as they have to be alert to watch their environment. However, for someone like officer Lance Hoffmeister, making stops to help a senior citizen is something on his to-do list.

This young man from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, paused his day to drive an older woman named Elizabeth Goode to an important appointment, and we find out that he shares a connection with the stranger.

LANCE HOFFMEISTER LOST HIS GRANDMA

Many years ago, officer Hofmeister lost someone close to his heart; his grandmother. He held her dear, and the recent incident made him remember what it felt like to have such an older woman in his life.

It was a bright and clear July day in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and officer Hofmeister was on patrol duty on a busy highway when he noticed an older woman clutching a walker. She was walking on the side of the road.

Hoffmeister's heart began racing; he was filled with emotions and could not help but stop his vehicle to chat with the woman. On the other hand, Elizabeth Goode, an 84-year-old lady, concerned herself with her walk, and it was not until the officer stopped her that she turned back.

The officer warmly inquired about her direction. "I didn't know if she wandered away or was lost, and that's why I wanted to check on her," he said.

Goode explained that she had been dropped off by a bus she boarded from Nashville. The 84-year-old had another mile to walk before reaching her destination. She had scheduled a hair appointment with Paul Mitchell Studio.

HOFFMEISTER DROVE HER FOR A FEW MINUTES

Hoffmeister admitted that Goode reminded him of his grandmother and that allowing her to walk down such a dangerous road with frequent accidents would be a no-no.

In no time, the officer escorted her to the backseat of his car and jokingly asked her to hop in, adding that she would not be handcuffed. In response to the joke, Goode said, "I've never been handcuffed. First time for everything."

The pair rode to the hair salon. Video evidence from the officer's body cam showed that Goode's pick-up location to the venue was a long walk, even for a young adult. According to Hoffmeister:

"That would have been a long hike for her, I think."

His kind deeds were later shared online, and many applauded his help to the stranger. Via a YouTube post, commenters saluted the officer's patience and benevolence.

THE OFFICER REMAINS CONNECTED TO THE OLD SOUL

After dropping Goode off for her hair appointment, the pair introduced themselves. Then the officer confessed, "I'll never forget you." Indeed, he meant to cherish the experience. While recounting the incident, he said:

"I lost my grandmother a couple of years back, and it just gave me that feeling all over again of just the sincere nostalgic – it was a great feeling. It was definitely a sweet moment. I'll always remember it."

Hoffmeister left Goode with his phone number; he told her to reach out whenever she needed help in the future. Then, following her hairstyling, the officer showed up to drive her back home.

"I have a special place in my heart for my seniors, and it just made me feel good," he said. "I [think] that's what the job is all about," Hoffmeister maintained. Making someone smile every day, especially the elderly and needy, is an act of kindness the world needs, considering how uncertain life can be.

Would you display a small dose of kindness by sharing this story to encourage people? Note that being kind is not restricted to the elderly.

You can feed a stray, be friendly to a new student, compliment a person's effort, donate food and toys to the needy, and smile at the grocery store attendant. Remember, a little act of kindness makes the world go round!