An elderly woman in Texas sought to leave the repair shop after being defeated by the expense of a new set of tires for her automobile when only one was damaged. She was unaware that a state trooper overheard her uncomfortable talk with the mechanic.
When Mary Summers, a 92-year-old woman from Texas, slid her car over a nail, one of her tires became punctured. When the elderly woman brought her car to Integrity Tires in Richmond, Texas, to have the tire patched, she was informed that the repairs were more expensive than she could afford.
The attending mechanic, Omar Oregueda, sat with Mary and explained that her car was dangerous because all four tires were critically worn. She had no other option except to change the bandages, which would have cost her $600.
Mary informed the local TV station KHOU, “I can’t do all the tires.” “Let me know how much this tire will cost, and I’ll just do the one.”
The woman begged Oregueda, but he refused.
Oregueda explained, “Her car’s tire couldn’t be fixed, and the other tires were worn out. They had already been destroyed.”
Mary then carefully moves her walker toward her chair before standing up and leaving the establishment.
Mary was unaware that a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper was sitting just behind her and listening in on their talk.
DPS Trooper Drew Stoner approached the desk behind Mary and left her with a big surprise before he left the store.
Omar told Mary she would receive four new tires at no cost shortly after returning to speak with her.
He declared, “They are paid for.” When Mary was informed, her mouth dropped open in shock.
Oregueda was generous and wanted to do something good for the old lady, so he gave her a free oil change.
Let’s all take care of each other, Omar remarked, “for a stranger to take care of another stranger like that.” That is the key issue.
KHOU found the officer and reunited Mary with Stoner, who paid a visit to her at home. Mary wanted to thank the police for saving her in such an unexpected way.
Stoner clarified that he wasn’t doing it to attract attention but because he felt compelled to protect her and other drivers.
He asked, “What if she gets on the road and a tire blows out on her, kind of falls apart, and she’s on the side of the road?”
Mary hugged the trooper and exclaimed, “I’m so grateful for you. I’m very happy. To meet someone with such a great heart makes me proud.”
People are hailing Trooper Doper for his unexpected kindness as the story of him saving Mary goes viral online.
“This trooper is a true American,” a comment says. “He represents all that is good in America. No matter what, people should help people. That’s a hero!”
DPS Trooper Doper assisted Mary in 2020, and the following year, for his “bravery and dedication” in apprehending a gunman and saving a woman with gunshot wounds that occurred before his shift, he was given the Medal of Valor, the highest accolade bestowed by the DPS.
True hero DPS Trooper Drew Stoner truly wants to help for the benefit of the community, not just for the sake of attention. We want to thank him for all his efforts and tell him how fortunate we are to have officers like him on the force.
