Henrico police officer, Officer Jenkins, is being lauded for his exemplary act of kindness during a routine traffic stop. Chy-Niece Thacker, on her way to an interview, was pulled over by Officer Jenkins on Bolling Road.
As Thacker nervously awaited the officer’s approach, Jenkins focused on her safety. Instead of issuing a ticket for a brake light violation, he informed Thacker about the issue, noting her brake lights were out. Thacker explained that she had recently replaced them, but faced an expensive test wiring charge from Firestone.
In an extraordinary display of compassion, Officer Jenkins spent 30 minutes trying to help Thacker with her car troubles. He checked the lights in the trunk, tapped them, and even went on to inspect the relay box under the hood. Thacker remarked that Jenkins could have opted to issue a ticket but chose to step into the role of a mechanic to ensure her safety.
“He’s going above and beyond his position; he didn’t have to do that,” expressed Thacker. “He said, ‘I care more about your safety than giving you a ticket. I thought, ‘He’s an angel, he’s a blessing.'”
While Officer Jenkins couldn’t fix the problem during the traffic stop, he instructed Thacker to turn on her hazard lights and followed her to the nearest mechanic, ensuring she reached her destination safely.
Thacker shared the heartwarming story on Facebook, praising Officer Jenkins for his kindness. The post has since gone viral, receiving over 300,000 likes. Thacker emphasized that her intention was not to garner attention but to share a moment of humanity, especially in contrast to negative stories about traffic stops.
“We’ve seen so many stories where a traffic stop has turned into the death [of an officer], and it’s given people a bad taste in their mouth. I think this one officer helping can set a trend,” Thacker noted.
Now, Thacker hopes to express her gratitude to Officer Jenkins if their paths cross again, appreciating the officer’s selfless assistance during a challenging moment.
