To the Editor:
On July 13, 2015, I was driving to Reagan National Airport to pick up my son when I noticed the low fuel light was flashing. I told my two grandchildren, who were with me, that we needed to get gas. Yet, I decided to keep going as to not have my son waiting for me at the airport. I figured we could circle back after picking him up and get gas then. However, on our way back around, we took the wrong exit, overshooting the gas station. We attempted to keep going until the next gas station, but ran out of gas in the process. My son stated, “Mom, we are out of gas.“ I responded with, ‘Are you serious, can you back up? We are in the middle of the highway?’ He said, “No mom, we can't move.”
Panic set in. I reached for my roadside assistance card and tried to call for help, but my hands were shaking from fear of being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Just then, a state trooper pulled up behind us with flashing lights. I found out later that it was Trooper Chad Fulk. He quickly approached our vehicle and asked if we were all right. I, feeling responsible for our predicament, said we ran out of gas. He said “don't worry, I need to get you all to safety because I almost creamed you coming around that curb. Do you mind if I bump you to a safe location?”
We said. “Sure, please.”
Trooper Fulk gently bumped us to safety. He came back to our vehicle and asked, “Do you all have someone coming,” because he noticed that I still had the roadside assistance card in my shaking hand. I said, “Yes.”
Trooper Fulk said, “I'm going to call for help and we will see who gets here first.” After he called, he smiled at me and said, “Would you feel better if I stayed with you until someone arrives?” I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, “OK,” and went back to his cruiser to wait.
While we waited, I noticed I had my Bible. So, I took out a piece of paper and wrote a note to Trooper Fulk. I don't remember what I wrote, but I wanted him to know that we appreciated his dedication, care, and concern for our safety.
His call for assistance arrived prior to ours, at which time he returned to our vehicle and said that we were in good hands, and he was going to depart now. I asked him if he was an angel, to which he replied, “I don't think so,” with a smile. I handed him the note I’d prepared for him, and said, “I wouldn't be surprised if you were to disappear when you return to your car.” Although he denied being an angel, he was our angel that day. He saved the lives of my grandchildren, my son and I.
We feel he deserves to be recognized for putting his life in danger as he does everyday diligently protecting and serving us all. I don’t want to imagine what could have happened had Trooper Fulk not been there. My son is off to training camp, my grandchildren are off to summer camp, and I am home thanking the Lord for Trooper Fulk.
Pearl Royal
Herndon