Getting pulled over rarely feels like a blessing, yet that’s exactly how Niya Sumter’s routine traffic stop in Attala County, Mississippi, turned out. After Officer Bradley Sanders wrote her up for several violations, he noticed Sumter’s toddler strapped into a car seat far too big for him—and decided to do something about it.
Instead of simply finishing the paperwork, Sanders returned from his cruiser and asked Sumter to follow him to a nearby Walmart. The unexpected request left her puzzled but hopeful as they drove off together.
Inside the store, the officer rolled a brand-new, age-appropriate car seat up to the checkout while Sumter’s little boy beamed from the shopping cart. For the mom, the purchase meant far more than fresh safety gear—it was proof that strangers still care.
Sumter later shared the encounter on Facebook, praising the officer’s kindness and giving thanks for “how good God is.” Her post quickly spread, drawing coverage from local news stations and flooding her timeline with encouragement.
Although Sanders had already issued three citations, he felt helping the family outweighed any awkwardness. “Follow me—let’s buy your baby a proper seat,” he told Sumter, a moment she now calls the biggest surprise of her life.
The officer later explained that while the boy was buckled, the oversized seat allowed him to wiggle free—dangerous on Mississippi’s busy roads. Cost, he guessed, was the only barrier standing between the family and safety.
Far from resenting the stop, Sumter thanked Sanders repeatedly, acknowledging that every ticket was legitimate and that she was simply doing her best with limited means.
Sanders said moments like these are why he joined the force: “Most of us chose this job to help people and make a difference,” he told reporters, brushing off praise while highlighting the many “good cops” he works beside.
Readers around the country echoed that sentiment online. Comments hailed Sanders as proof that compassion still thrives in law enforcement—one user wrote, “Your big heart will go a very long way!”
Yet the story carried a sobering reminder: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates nearly six in ten car seats are installed incorrectly, and motor-vehicle crashes remain a leading killer of children under twelve. Workshops by groups like Safe Kids Worldwide now help parents ensure every buckle and strap is properly secured.
