Idaho Officer Makes an Unusual Decision after Stopping a Woman for Speeding

An Idaho police officer recently stopped a woman for speeding and was about  to give her a ticket when he heard the tragic details about where she was headed.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Brakeman said that he could tell that the driver was unhappy about being pulled over. He began to talk with her and soon learned that her mother, who was in the passenger seat, is battling cancer.

"I asked where they were headed, and she said to the oncologist," Brakeman told KREM-TV. "She then started to become a little bit emotional."

Officer Brakeman went back to his vehicle, not to process the ticket but to figure out the best way to proceed. He knew that the woman had been speeding and deserved a ticket, but he decide to pray for her mother instead.

"And then walked back up to the passenger side and asked her mother if she would accept a prayer," he said. "And she said, 'Absolutely.' So then we prayed and I told them to have a good day and went back to my car."

Brakeman knows all too well the pains that come along with cancer as his own mother lost her battle with the disease.

"I think they needed some love, and we all do," Brakeman said.

The driver, RaeAnn Kuykendall, recounted the emotional moment and expressed gratitude by posting a message on the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page.

"So I made an appointment this morning for my mum at her cancer doctor. They could fit her in but I had to hustle to get there. Okay no problem….. Until I get pulled over for going 45 in a 35," she wrote. "The officer that pulled me over didn't give me a ticket but instead went over to my mums side of the car, got down to her level and gave her a beautiful prayer."

"Needless to say I emotionally lost it but thankful for him pulling me over at that moment and offering his kindness to us," she added. "I don't know the officer's name  that stopped me but I want to thank him for his blessings and for hope."