Alabama Woman Receives Life-Changing Advice from State Trooper Who Pulled Her Over

An Alabama woman is speaking out about how a police officer who pulled her over for speeding inspired her to change her life.

In August 2022, then-20-year-old Abbie Rutledge was driving along a Birmingham highway when she saw red and blue police lights flash behind her. Speaking with CBS News for a story on Friday, Sept. 6, she said she never would have thought that being pulled over could result in a major life change.

According to Rutledge, when Alabama state trooper J.T. Brown stopped her for speeding, she told him she could not afford to pay for a ticket, and that she was “broke and in a dead-end job,” as the outlet put it.

Brown simply replied: “‘Well, how about we talk about it then.’ ”

Their conversation “went on for about” 10 to 15 minutes, Rutledge told CBS News, as the two were “just talking about different career paths.” Eventually, they came up with an idea together — she should become a nurse.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Brown didn’t issue her a ticket, just a warning. On it, he wrote: “Promise me you’ll go to scrub or nursing school, and slow down, and I won’t give you a ticket.”

Now, two years later, Rutledge is doing exactly what she told Brown she would do.

“As soon as he left, and as soon as I got to where I was going, I started pushing myself toward that career,” she told the outlet. “And now I’m here.”

According to CBS News, Rutledge began a surgical technology program at a nearby community college — and Brown even attended her graduation after she finished.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

“I wanted him to see the impression he made on me,” Rutledge told the outlet. “Five minutes talking to anybody, even if you don’t know them, can make the largest impact of their life. You never know when it could happen.”

Now, the 22-year-old is a surgical technician at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital. She told CBS News that she loves her job and credits Brown with much of her success.

“I think it was the right person, the right time and the right words said,” Rutledge said, reflecting on their conversation during that fateful traffic stop.

“She made my entire career worth it,” Brown added.