To Serve and Protect

I would personally like to express my gratitude to an officer of the Pinehurst Police Department. On Monday, Jan. 30, around 11:30 p.m., I was sick, coming from the ER, and my car had a flat tire coming off the Traffic Circle.

I was miserable and was on the phone calling my sister for a ride, because I had decided to leave the car until the next day. I didn’t feel well, so I didn’t want to deal with it.

Then, officer Eble pulled up behind me, came to the window and asked me if everything was OK. I told him I had a flat tire, but I was trying to get a ride. He asked if I had a spare. I told him I did and he said, “Well, let’s see if we can get that changed.”

We all know those wind-up jacks can be a nuisance, so officer Eble jacked the car up and took the tire off. I tried to help by putting the tire in the trunk, but that caused the car to fall off the jack.

I felt so bad and, at that point I know in officer Eble’s mind he probably had a few choice things he wanted to say, but he showed no frustration and patiently jacked the car back up and put the tire on.

I know for some people this means nothing, but I was sick and it meant a lot to me because he did not have to do it.

Therefore, I just want to say, “Officer Eble, you exemplified what it means to protect and serve, and I would just like to say thank you again for your help.”

Jacqueline Thompson

Southern Pines