An Illinois man was on his way to a job interview when he was pulled over by police. His license plate expired, this was the last thing he thought he needed.
Ka'shawn Baldwin was pulled over by officer Roger Gemoules of the Cahokia Police Department.
However, instead of a ticket, Gemoules surprised Baldwin by giving him a ride instead.
In an interview with NBC News, Baldwin said,
"I was nervous. I was thinking, I was just going to get some more tickets and have some more fines that I really can't afford to pay."
Baldwin knew his driver's license was suspended but didn't realize his plates were expired.
However, he took the risk anyway, as he needed this job to be able to fix any of these problems, as well as provide for his 2-year old daughter.
Baldwin said:
"The routine thing is to tow the car and take the person to jail who is driving the car,"
He assumed that exact thing would play out when he was pulled over.
When Officer Gemoules asked Baldwin why he was driving under these conditions, he explained he had no other way to get to his job interview.
Gemoules told the young man he couldn't take the car the rest of the way.
Instead, he followed Baldwin as they took the car home to be parked, and the officer drove him to the interview.
The officer explained to ABC News:
"Something came upon me, God, whatever it was, and said, 'Give him a little break.' So that's what I did,"
Baldwin was very surprised, saying,
"Normally cops, where I'm from, they don't really do stuff like that. It meant everything. It brought my spirits up."
It's just so very wholesome.
And to add a cherry on top of this sweet story, Baldwin got the job at the Fedex facility he interviewed for.
The mayor of the town, Curtis Mccall, has said he is proud of both men.
"Community policing is something we strive for in Cahokia, because it is not always about writing tickets, or sending someone to jail."
"It is about helping people when we can and building relationships. Job well done Officer Gemolus and congrats to the young man for getting the job!"
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