Trooper Pulls Over Doctor For Speeding, Returns With N95 Masks Instead Of Ticket

March 31, 2020

A Minnesota state trooper pulled over a doctor for speeding, but he brought her to tears when he turned what should have been a ticket into an act of kindness.

Dr. Sarosh Ashraf Janjua

Dr. Sarosh Ashraf Janjua was pulled over on I-35 this past weekend for driving above the speed limit. When Trooper Brian Schwartz saw her Massachusetts driver's license, he asked her what she was doing all the way out in Minnesota.

"I told him I travel here every month for my work as a locums cardiologist," Janjua said.

Schwartz went back to his patrol car and Janjua was fully expecting a ticket.

"He went back to his patrol car to look up my license, and when he returned, quite firmly told me it was very irresponsible of me to be speeding, especially since I would not only take up resources if I got into an accident, but would also not be in a position to help patients," Janjua said.

"Instead, he told me he was going to let me off with a warning. As I sputtered to apologize and say thank you, he reached in to hand me what I assumed was my license back. It wasn’t until my hand had closed around what he was giving me that its unexpected bulkiness drew my eyes to it."

Schwartz handed Janjua five N95 masks, from the supply the state had given him for his protection.

"I burst into tears. And though it may just have been the cold wind, I think he teared up a little as well, before wishing me well and walking away," Janjua said.

"This complete stranger, who owed me nothing and is more on the front lines than I am, shared his precious masks with me, without my even asking."

Like millions of health care workers across the world, Janjua said she was "afraid" of not having proper equipment to protect herself from possibly getting sick far from home.

"The veil of civilization may be thin, but not all that lies behind it is savage," Janjua said. "We are going to be ok."