by After coming across a woman in her 80s walking alone along a freeway, a police officer performed a simple act of kindness by escorting her to her hair appointment in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Officer Lance Hofeister explained that he was driving down Old Fort Parkway and noticed a senior citizen with her walker. “I didn’t know if she had wandered off, I didn’t know if she was gone, I didn’t know exactly what was going on, so that’s why I wanted to check on her,” he said.
The woman, 84-year-old Elizabeth Goode, had taken a bus from Nashville and had just been dropped off at a stop. She was scheduled to get a perm in the nearby town centre.
Hofeister gave Goode a one kilometer ride to the finish line. “She was such a sweet soul and told me a couple of stories along the way, but it was just a great moment,” he said.
Videos released by the Murfreesboro Police Department show the officer approaching Goode and escorting her into the mall. Credit: Murfreesboro Police Department via Storyful
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LARRY FLOWERS: There was this TikTok post by sarahmarie988 on April 29 with the caption, Just so this Murfreesboro police officer brings this adorable older lady to her hair appointment. So far 160,000 views, more than 3,600 likes and almost 100 comments. So we did a little research to find out the back story.
It was a routine day on patrol for Murfreesboro Police Field Training Officer Lance Hofeister.
LANCE HOFEISTER: I was just driving down the Old Fort Parkway and noticed what appears to be a senior citizen walking down the highway with his walker.
LARRY FLOWERS: Hofeister became worried.
LANCE HOFEISTER: I didn’t know if she wandered off. I didn’t know if she was gone. I didn’t know exactly what was going on. But that’s why I wanted to check on her.
LARRY FLOWERS: The woman was driving a WeGo bus from Nashville and had just been dropped off at a bus stop at Old Fort Park.
LANCE HOFEISTER: She was very bright, very sweet. And she just said she was trying to get to the hairdresser’s appointment.
LARRY FLOWERS: She was scheduled to receive a binder at Paul Mitchell The School Murfreesboro in Stones River Town Center.
LANCE HOFEISTER: Do you like it there?
ELIZABETH GOODE: If you would stand behind me, [INAUDIBLE].
LANCE HOFEISTER: Yes, no problem. I have you. Are you ready?
ELIZABETH GOODE: Go.
LANCE HOFEISTER: Right. Alright, are you ok?
ELIZABETH GOODE: Yep.
LANCE HOFEISTER: ok where is your family
LARRY FLOWERS: The one-mile trip gave Hofeister an opportunity to find out more about his newfound friend, 84-year-old Elizabeth Goode.
LANCE HOFEISTER: She is such a sweet soul and told me a few stories along the way. No, it was just a great, great moment.
LARRY FLOWERS: The more and more they talked, Hofeister was reminded of someone close to his heart.
LANCE HOFEISTER: I lost my grandmother a couple of years ago. And it just kind of gave me that feeling again of just– I don’t know– sincere, nostalgic– I don’t know. It was just a good feeling.
LARRY FLOWERS: For Officer Hofeister, the simple gesture ranks at the top of all his calls to duty.
LANCE HOFEISTER: It was definitely a sweet moment now. I will always remember it. Let’s see how I can help you here.
ELIZABETH GOODE: [INAUDIBLE]. I can help myself.
LANCE HOFEISTER: [LAUGHS] It is not correct.
ELIZABETH GOODE: For real.
LANCE HOFEISTER: Are you ready?
LARRY FLOWERS: Community policing at its best.
LANCE HOFEISTER: You’re welcome. I’m Lance.
ELIZABETH GOODE: Lance. I’m Elizabeth.
LANCE HOFEISTER: Elizabeth, good. I will never forget you.
ELIZABETH GOODE: Thank you. Thank you very much.
LANCE HOFEISTER: You’re welcome.
ELIZABETH GOODE: I appreciate it.
LANCE HOFEISTER: Alright, no problem.
LARRY FLOWERS: For “Behind the Badge” my name is Larry Flowers.
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